Diomed* ch c 1777 (Florizel - Sister to Juno, Spectator). Sire Line Herod. Family 6-b.

Bred by the Honorable Richard Vernon, he was sold to Sir Charles Bunbury prior to the start of his turf career. J C Goode, the son of Thomas Goode, who later owned Diomed for four years, described him as "a fine clear chestnut, 15.3 hands high, without white, except for a touch on one of his hind heels, barely noticed."

In his first season in 1780 he was unbeaten in 7 starts, including the Derby Stakes. He has the distinction of being the first Derby winner. From 1780 through 1783, he started 19 times, winning 11 races, placing second in 4 races, placing third in 3 races, receiving and paying one forfeit. He carried 168 pounds to beat Lottery in three 4-mile heats. He defeated such horses as Boudrow, Drone, the Oaks winner Tetotum, and Lottery.

He went to stud in 1785 at Uppart (or Up Park), near Chichester in Sussex, and moved back and forth between there and Barton Hall, near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. Among his get in England were Grey Diomed (gr c 1785), a sturdy and popular racer who was eventually exported to Russia, and Young Giantess (b f 1790) and Young Noisette (br f 1789) both of whom foaled offspring who left an indelible mark on the turf and in the stud book.

Young Giantess produced Sorcerer, Eleanor, Julia, Cressida and Walton Mare. Sorcerer (bl c 1796 Trumpator) became a Champion Sire and the link between Trumpator and Comus in the Matchem sire line. Eleanor (b f 1798) was the first filly to win both the Derby and Oaks Stakes, and in turn produced Muley (b c 1810). Julia (br f 1799) foaled the Derby winner and Champion Sire Phantom (b c 1808). Cressida (b f 1807) produced the Two Thousand Guineas winner Antar (b c 1816) and the Derby winner and Champion Sire Priam* (b c 1827). Walton Mare (ch f 1808) foaled Langar (ch c 1817) and the Two Thousand Guineas winner Nicolo (ch c 1820). Young Noisette produced Marmion (b c 1806) who sired Clare (b f 1825), the second dam of Pocahontas (b f 1837), which combined with Muley who sired Marpessa (b f 1830), the dam of Pocahontas, gave Pocahontas two crosses to Diomed.

Although he made much of his limited opportunities he was never popular in England. His get amounted to only sixty-five foals over fourteen seasons, and his stud fee declined to 2 guineas, from a high of 10 guineas. His offspring were rumoured to be obstinate. Sir Charles Bunbury was ready to sell. At the age of twenty-one, Diomed was purchased by Colonel John Hoomes for 50 guineas and shipped to Virginia.

The certificate which came with him is found in Hervey: "I hereby certify that the chestnut horse Diomed, purchased of me by Messrs. Lamb & Younger, won the Derby Stakes at Epsom, the Claret Stakes at Newmarket, and many other prizes, as may be seen in the Racing Calendar. He is the sire of Grey Diomed, Quitlavaca, Lais (the dam of Lord Clermont's Spoliator), Greyhound, Monkey, Anthony, Glaucus, Wrangler, Cedar, Poplar and several other good racers. Grey Diomed, when three years old, was sold by me to Mr Fox [the celebrated Charles James] for 700 gns.; Mr Fox afterward sold him, with his engagements, to the Duke of Bedford for 1700 gns. Several other of Diomed's get have been sold at large prices." Signed by Thomas Charles Bunbury.

He was imported into Virginia in 1798 at the age of twenty-one. He changed owners several times, and stood at a number of studs. His first short season was spent with Colonel Hoomes, the next four in Chesterfield County as the property of Thomas Goode and Colonel Miles Selden, then a year at Walker's Mills in Sussex County, and then back to Miles Selden at Tree-Hill near Richmond. He then went to Nathaniel Rives in Greensville County for two years, then came back to Goode again in Chesterfield County.

His success in America was overwhelming. Admired for his looks and presence, mare owners sent him their best. He gave them a dynasty. Among his outstanding offspring were Lavinia (b f 1800) who won the largest sweepstakes run up until that time, and Vingt-Un (ch c 1801) who won the Gold Cup at Washington. Diomed sired the undefeated Ball's Florizel (ch c 1801); Duroc (ch c 1806) who in turn sired American Eclipse (ch c 1814); Old Potomac (b c 1805); and Wilkes' Wonder (ch c 1800) who sired Tennessee Oscar (b c 1814). His daughters became the dams of Henry (ch c 1819) and Sir Alfred (b c 1806). Bred to the imported mare Castianira he got the esteemed Sir Archy (b c 1805), who would become the great-grandsire of Lexington (b c 1850).

Hervey eloquently summarises the influence of Diomed, "The Colonial thoroughbred, close to his Oriental ancestors, had been small like them. Of the earliest post-Revolutionary importations that were most influential, Medley was a little horse, Shark not a big one; while Messenger, larger and more massive, made his career outside the Race Horse Region. Diomed, a horse of strong 15.3, of high quality but rugged and well-thewed, bred often larger than himself. Sir Archy stood almost 16.1, Potomac, Florizel and Truxton were 16, Duroc 15 3/4, most of the others whose heights are recorded were of fine size; only one, Wilkes' Wonder, is mentioned as being small - 15 1/4. With their size they had rangy frames, heavy bone and sound, strong constitutions. As might be expected of the sons of a horse that could get a Truxton at twenty-two, a Florizel at twenty-three, a Potomac at twenty-five, a Sir Archy at twenty-seven and a Maria at thirty, they lived long and begot progeny innumerable. In modern phrase we may say that they had everything...in superlative degree."

Diomed died the property of Colonel Hoomes in April of 1808, aged 31 years, and was buried beside Maria Slamerkin in a spot overlooking the Appomattox River.