English champ Diesis dies

English champion and Mill Ridge Farm stallion Diesis was euthanized on Nov. 18, a day after fracturing his left hip.

Diesis, a Sharpen Up stallion whose progeny included European champions Halling, Ramruna, and Diminuendo, was 26.

Mill Ridge pensioned Diesis this past April after the horse began having problems with his hocks during breeding season. In his final year at stud, he stood for a $30,000 fee.

Diesis was a son of the Reliance II mare Doubly Sure. Bred by Lord Howard de Walden in Britain, he was a full brother to champion Kris and to Group 2-placed stakes winner Keen, and a half-brother to Group 2 winner Rudimentary. Diesis was England's champion juvenile in 1982.

As a sire, Diesis is best known for his European successes. His leading runner to date is Halling, a champion older male in Europe in 1995 and 1996.