Diesis, 26, pensioned from duty

Diesis, a 26-year-old stallion with 83 stakes winners, has been pensioned at Mill Ridge Farm in Lexington, Ky., because of physical problems, according to the farm's stallion marketing manager, Bayne Welker.

Diesis, a son of Sharpen Up and the Reliance mare Doubly Sure, was bred and raced in Great Britain. He has stood at John and Alice Chandler's Mill Ridge Farm since 1984 after being retired in his 3-year-old season. A champion colt at 2 in England, Diesis has shown an affinity for siring successful grass horses that run in Europe despite standing in the United States.

The best of his progeny have included Halling, the champion older male in England twice, in 1995 and 1996; Magistretti, the champion 3-year-old colt in England in 2003; and Docksider, the champion older male in Germany and England in 1999. From 19 crops of racing age, Diesis has appeared on the top 10 sire list in England and Ireland five times.

Welker said that Diesis covered six mares this year, at a fee of $30,000 live foal. Diesis has had problems with his back end this year that has complicated breeding, Welker said.

"He's had some deterioration in his back hocks that makes it difficult for him to mount mares," said Welker, "and Mrs. Chandler felt this was the best thing for him so that he could live out the rest of his life in good health."