Diomed

Diomed (1777 – 1808) was an English Thoroughbred race horse who won the inaugural running of the Epsom Derby in 1780. Sold and imported to Virginia, he was subsequently a successful sire in the United States after the American Revolutionary War. Racing years A bright chestnut standing , he was named after the Ancient Greek hero Diomedes. By the unraced Florizel out of the unraced Pastorella's Dam, also known as "Sister to Juno" (both going back to the Godolphin Arabian, and Sister to Juno going back as well to the Darley Arabian), Diomed was bred by the Hon. Richard Vernon and owned by Sir Charles Bunbury, 6th Baronet, then trained by him at Hilton Hall. He was started 19 times, winning 11 races, finishing second in 4, and third in 3. Of these 11 wins, ten were consecutive, which included the inaugural running of the Epsom Derby in 1780. During these early bright years of Diomed's life, he was considered by many to be the best colt seen in the Britain since Eclipse in 1769 and 1770. He was allowed to rest for a while, but when he was brought back to the races, he had mixed results. Sometimes he would win, and sometimes he wouldn't win, more often the latter than the former. His last win was a King's Plate in 4-mile heats, carrying 168 pounds.