Diesis (23 April 1980 – 18 November 2006) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. An outstanding two-year-old in 1982, he did not reach the same heights at three but went on to become an extremely successful breeding stallion in the United States.

Diesis
SireSharpen Up
GrandsireAtan
DamDoubly Sure
DamsireReliance
SexColt
Foaled23 April 1980
CountryGreat Britain
ColourBay
BreederLord Howard de Walden
OwnerLord Howard de Walden
TrainerHenry Cecil
Record5: 3 – 1 – 0
Major wins
Middle Park Stakes (1982)
Dewhurst Stakes (1982)
Awards
Top-rated European two-year-old (1982)
Timeform top-rated two-year-old (1982)
Timeform rating: 133
Last updated on 29 July 2022

Background

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Diesis was a chestnut horse with a white star and three white socks bred in England by his owner 9th Baron Howard de Walden. He was sired by Sharpen Up out of the noted broodmare Doubly Sure,[1] making him a full brother to the champion miler Kris and Keen,[2] and a half-brother to several other good winners including Presidium and Rudimentary (Sandown Mile). The colt was named after the printer's symbol "‡" also known as a "double dagger". He was trained by Henry Cecil at his Warren Place stable in Newmarket, Suffolk.

Racing career

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As a juvenile, Diesis won three races from four starts. After running fifth in a maiden race on his debut he won the Rhys-Jenkins and Standing Stakes by seven lengths. He was then moved up in class and won the Group One Middle Park Stakes over six furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse in October. Later that month he returned to Newmarket for the Dewhurst Stakes over seven furlongs, in which he was matched against Gorytus an unbeaten colt from the Dick Hern stable with an exceptional reputation. Gorytus ran very poorly (he was widely believed to have been drugged) and Diesis won his second Group One race very easily. He was the highest rated European two-year-old in the 1982 International Classification, a collaboration between the official handicappers of Britain, France and Ireland. Diesis was also rated the best two-year-old of the season by the independent Timeform organisation.[3]

The spring of 1983 was unusually cold and wet, and Henry Cecil, along with many other trainers, had difficulty bringing his horses to peak fitness. His problems were compounded when Diesis suffered from lameness in early April and then injured a leg shortly before his seasonal debut in the 2000 Guineas. On 30 April Diesis started 100/30 favourite for the Guineas, but finished eighth of the sixteen runners behind Lomond. On his only other race, Diesis was beaten by The Noble Player in a seven furlong race at Kempton Park in May.[4]

Stud record

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Although standing as a stallion in Kentucky, Diesis' most successful progeny ran in Europe, including Epsom Oaks and Irish Oaks winners Diminuendo, Love Divine and Ramruma, Eclipse Stakes winner Elmaamul, multiple Group 1 winning, ten-furlong specialist Halling and Flemensfirth. Diesis' great-grandson Serpentine won the Epsom Derby in 2020.

He also sired North American Grade 1 winners Continuously, Husband, Rootentootenwooten, ex-English trained Storm Trooper and 2010 Arlington Million winner Debussy.

Diesis was euthanised on 18 November 2006 at Mill Ridge Farm, Lexington, Kentucky after fracturing a hip.[5]

Pedigree

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Pedigree of Diesis (GB), chestnut stallion, 1980[6]
Sire
Sharpen Up (GB)
1969
Atan
1961
Native Dancer Polynesian
Geisha
Mixed Marriage Tudor Minstrel
Persian Maid
Rocchetta
1961
Rockefella Hyperion
Rockfel
Chambiges Majano
Chanterelle
Dam
Doubly Sure (FR)
1971
Reliance
1962
Tantieme Deux-Pour-Cent
Terka
Relance Relic
Polaire
Soft Angels
1963
Crepello Donatello
Crepuscule
Sweet Angel Honeyway
No Angel (Family:2-o)

References

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  1. ^ "Diesis pedigree". Equineline. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  2. ^ "Diesis' magic lives on". Thoroughbredinternet.com. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  3. ^ Morris, Tony; Randall, John (1990). Horse Racing: Records, Facts, Champions (Third ed.). Guinness Publishing. ISBN 0-85112-902-1.
  4. ^ Timeform (1984). Racehorses of 1983. Timeform. ISBN 0-900599-40-5.
  5. ^ "Kentucky Stallion Diesis Dead". BloodHorse. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  6. ^ "Diesis pedigree". Equineline. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.