Discreet Cat Dies May 25 from Illness at Darley Japan

Grade 1 winner and sire Discreet Cat, who delivered some spectacular races before starting his successful stallion career in 2008 in the United States at Darley, died May 25 in Japan due to illness. Darley Japan announced his passing. He was 20. The son of Forestry debuted at 2 at Saratoga Race Course, winning on first asking for previous owner/breeder Paul Robsham Stables and trainer Stanley Hough. He then transferred to Godolphin and conditioner Saeed bin Suroor with whom he would extend his unbeaten record to start his career to six races. At 3 he would earn two victories at the Nad al Sheba Racecourse, collecting a win in the Areej Trophy and U.A.E. Derby (G2) by an impressive four lengths and six lengths, respectively. Returning to the United States five months later, he added an 11-length allowance win in preparation for his 10 1/4-length victory in the Jerome Breeders' Cup Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park. The crowning achievement of his career came in the Cigar Mile Handicap (G1), where he equaled Easy Goer's track record at Aqueduct by completing the one-turn mile in 1:32.46 to post a 3 1/4-length score. At 4 he placed in the Vosburgh Stakes (G1) and Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. He retired after that 2007 season with earnings of $1,694,180 in nine starts and a record of 6-0-2. He began his stud career at Darley's Jonabell Farm in Lexington in 2008 and remained on the roster until 2016 when he transferred to Darley Japan. He is the sire of 62 stakes horses, including grade 1 winners Discreet Marq, Dads Caps, Secret Compass, and Secret Spice. Discreet Cat shuttled to Brazil and had 16 stakes horses, including grade 1 winner Taksim (BRZ). Since his introduction in Japan, he has thrown many successful horses, including Keio Hai Nisai Stakes (G2) winner Obamburumai (JPN) and stakes winner Combustion (JPN). "Today has been a very difficult day for us. Discreet Cat has been in service in Japan since he turned 14-years-old, but has nevertheless been accepted by breeders and has sold more than 750 matings to date. He has amassed progeny earnings of more than $20 million in prize money on the Japanese tracks," Darley's representative director Harry Sweeney commented. "He was always a gentle horse when we worked with him. The Stallion Complex is full of tears. I am filled with gratitude for his achievements so far, and we hope he rests in peace. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the owner, the breeder, and all the people involved with this horse."