New York sire Disco Rico loses battle with laminitis

Disco Rico, a multiple Grade 3 winner and New York sire, was euthanized Thursday after a lengthy struggle with laminitis.

A 17-year-old son of Citidancer, Disco Rico stood at Keane Stud in Amenia, N.Y., where he had resided since the 2008 breeding season. He made his debut at stud in 2002 at Murmur Farm in Darlington, Md. and remained there until being relocated to New York.

Disco Rico is the sire of 10 crops of racing age with combined progeny earnings surpassing $12.8 million. His 11 stakes winners include At the Disco, La Chica Rica, Pure Disco, Vicki’s Dancer, and Dr. Disco. He sat fifth among New York sires by 2014 progeny earnings through Dec. 19, his highest ranking since moving to the state, led by stakes winner Marriedtothemusic.

Bred in Maryland by C. Oliver Goldsmith, Disco Rico was purchased by Alfred DiRico for $82,000 at the 1999 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. March selected sale of 2-year-olds in training. He was sent to the shed row of trainer Valora Testerman, who conditioned the horse for his entire career.

Disco Rico went on to win 9 of 17 starts over three seasons of racing for earnings of $532,244. His seven career stakes wins were highlighted by the Grade 3 Maryland Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Pimlico and the Jersey Shore Breeders’ Cup Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Disco Rico was out of the most successful foal out of his dam, the stakes-placed Apalachee mare Round It Off, whose four runners were all winners. He is a half-brother to the unraced Stravinsky mare Life Happened, who became the dam of Grade 2 winner Vyjack and Grade 3 winner Tepin.