Dee Raper

An established breeder involved in the stallion business for over 30 years, Dee Raper and his wife, Betty, oversee the daily work of Belle Mere Farm in Norman, Oklahoma, one of the state’s top stallion operations. In business since 1983, Belle Mere has featured many of the best Quarter Horse and Paint stallions in history, including the legendary Easy Jet.  The top athlete campaigned by Dee Raper was Eye Yin You, still the only horse to date to win the Remington Park Futurity (G1) and Derby (G2), achieving the illusive double in 2004 and 2005, respectively.

 

Dee and Betty Raper have been serving the horse industry since 1973, specializing in providing proven bloodlines for racing.

 

The farm was moved to its present location in Norman, Oklahoma in 1992. The farm sits on 320 acres in what was originally called the Ten Mile Flat area of Norman.

 

During their 30-plus years in the stallion breeding business, Dee and Betty have stood many of the greats in the industry including Easy Jet in 1985. The farm is a hands-on operation for Dee and Betty. On a daily basis you will find each of them in the barns, offices, or as Dee says “taking care of business”. Both have been very active in working for the industry and horse racing in Oklahoma.

 

Still active today with his wife Betty as owners and managers of Belle Mere Farms in Norman, Oklahoma, Dee is the guy who took time from managing the careers of Mr Eye Opener and Bully Bullion to help expand gaming at race tracks in Oklahoma.

 

Dee Raper was inducted into the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2010.