Horse

1777 - 1808

Diomed, foaled in 1777, was an English Thoroughbred race horse who won the inaugural running of the Derby in 1780. He was subsequently a successful sire in the United States. Diomed was bred by the Hon. Richard Vernon and owned by Sir Charles Bunbury, 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 eleven wins, ten were consecutive, which included the inaugural running of The Derby in 1780. Sir Charles retired Diomed to stud. Sir Charles offered Diomed for sale when the stallion was 21 years old. Colonel John Hoomes of Bowling Green, Virginia bought him and then shipped him to Virginia where he was returned to stud in 1798. Diomed died at the age thirty-one years old and was active to his final days.