Graded Stakes Winner Diamond Stripes Euthanized

Multiple graded-stakes winner Diamond Stripes was euthanized May 29 at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm near Georgetown, Ky, the facility announced May 30.

According to Old Friends veterinarian Dr. Byran Waldridge, the cause of death for the 14-year-old gelding was complications of treatment for progressive ethmoidal hematoma, a benign but locally invasive sinus cancer.

Bred in Florida by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Rogers Jr., for their Four Roses Thoroughbreds, Diamond Stripes won six of his 16 starts, including taking the 2006 Pegasus Stakes (G3) in just his third career start. The son of Notebook also captured the 2007 Meadowlands Cup Handicap (G2) and scored his most notable triumph the following season when he won the $1 million Etisalat Godolphin Mile (G2) in Dubai for trainer Richard Dutrow.

By 2010, the gray gelding had begun a drop down the ranks, eventually starting in claiming races at New Mexico's Sunland Park. Old Friends president Michael Blowen then contacted trainer Chris Hartman about retiring the horse. 

"We were so happy to have been able to provide Diamond Stripes with a worthy retirement these last years," said Blowen. "He was a kind horse with a strong spirit and he will be missed by many of his friends and fans." 

Diamond Stripes retired with $1,478,014 in earnings.