Domasca Dan, Grade 2 winner and Canadian sire, dies at 28

Grade 2 winner Domasca Dan, who was placed in multiple Canadian classics, died Jan. 21 at Mapleville Farms in Caledon, Ontario, Canada. He was 28.

The son of Same Direction rose from the claiming ranks to national-level racing after being claimed for a $32,000 tag by owner Frank Di Gulio and trainer Bob Tiller in his third career start at Woodbine. Earlier that year, Domasca Dan had been walked out of the sale ring at the 1988 Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society of Ontario sale of 2-year-olds in training with no bid.

He went on to win 10 of 22 lifetime starts for earnings of $595,047.

“My father and I claimed him as a 2-year-old back in 1988,” recalled Frank Di Giulio Jr. “He had run well his first race and won his second start and when he came back for the same price in his third start, he looked like he would be worth the money. There were seven claims in for him that day and we ended up getting lucky enough to win the shake for him.”

Prior to the claim, Domasca Dan was campaigned as an Ontario-foaled homebred for Edward Lang.

Domasca Dan was a frequent sparring partner with eventual Canadian Triple Crown winner With Approval, finishing second by a head to his rival in the Plate Trial Stakes, then third in the Queen’s Plate. He once again finished second by a head to With Approval in the Prince of Wales Stakes, the second leg of Canada’s Triple Crown.

Later in his 3-year-old campaign, Domasca Dan began racing in the U.S., earning a win in the Grade 2 Jamaica Handicap.

Domasca Dan was retired to stud following his 4-year-old campaign. His 19 foal crops are highlighted by Grade 3 winner Brass in Pocket, and stakes winners Heyahohowdy, Dan’s My Pal, Domasca Bella, and Domascas Consort.

“Not only was he special to us as a racehorse, but he was special for what he gave to us after in the breeding shed,” Di Giulio said. “He will be missed.”