Good morning all,

The latest of Caroline's articles looks at the diminutive yet supremely talented Diminuendo. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as she's enjoyed writing it!

Diminuendo: a talent beyond her frame

Greetings all, and thanks again for your feedback from last week; glad to hear you enjoyed the overview on colour transmission in Thoroughbreds. As you may have seen on Twitter since then, another prime example has been supplied this spring by fantastic racemare and producer Dar Re Mi who, after giving birth to eight bay foals previously (including Too Darn Hot, Lah Ti Dar and So Mi Dar), has recently had a chestnut colt who is a full-brother to that high-class trio. Let’s hope he turns out to be just as good!

I’m sticking with a talented chestnut for this week’s piece, and another star filly of the late 1980s in Diminuendo. Is it my rose-tinted glasses or was this a vintage era for fillies? There seemed to be a regular pipeline of high class, durable G1 performers of the fairer sex during this spell, although I’m prepared to accept it may have just been a particularly memorable time for my personal journey in racing. Either way, Diminuendo earned her place in the elite ranks, despite stiff competition from other Sheikh Mohammed-owned stars like Pebbles, Oh So Sharp and Indian Skimmer.

Trained by Henry Cecil, Diminuendo first appeared in a Leicester maiden in June 1987, where despite starting slowing she hosed up by 10l and created a big impression. She then ran twice more over 6f on the July course, easily winning the Listed Ewar Stud Farm Stakes (which I believe is the Empress Stakes these days) before repeating the dose in the Cherry Hinton. I think it was in the former of these that I first saw her, as that would have been on a Saturday and I remember it was a wet day which she absolutely lit up with her class. It was apparent even to my inexperienced eye that, a year after Forest Flower’s exploits, we had another pocket rocket on our hands. Diminuendo was indeed diminutive, particularly as a juvenile. I’d say she was probably a bit bigger than the tiny Forest Flower but not much, probably 15hh or maybe 15.1. But despite her lack of size she had a really powerful stride and covered an amazing amount of ground, which more than made up for her small stature.

After the Cherry Hinton, Diminuendo had a break before returning over a 2f longer trip in the G2 Fillies Mile at Ascot. Clearly not just a speedball, she took this step up in her stride and won again, going into winter quarters as one of the leading fancies for the 1988 fillies’ Classics. She reappeared in the Nell Gwyn but was beaten under a penalty, before going on to run a very creditable third in the 1,000 Guineas, being caught by the classy pair Ravinella and Dabaweyaa. This time Steve Cauthen attempted to make all on her but she was just outspeeded in the closing stages, which heralded an immediate step up in trip. Less than two weeks later, she turned out again in the Musidora over 10½f and it yielded an impressive victory by 4l, putting her in pole position for the Oaks. It was great to see that she had trained on well and that, despite being an early 2yo, stamina looked to be a long suit for her.

That impression was more than confirmed at Epsom. As at York, she drew clear to win by 4l from Sudden Love, an admirably consistent filly who was often her bridesmaid. Diminuendo had firmly asserted herself as the leading middle distance filly of her generation though, and headed to the Curragh as a 2/9f to follow up in the Irish Oaks. This time, however, she did not have things all her own way. Despite taking the lead on cue turning in, she couldn’t shake off the opposition and was closed down remorselessly by the fellow Sheikh Mohammed-owned filly Melodist. Given that the latter was ridden by Walter Swinburn, I was roaring for her by this point…sorry Diminuendo! Melodist had won the Oaks d’Italia previously but that form was not considered to be in the same county as the Epsom contest or Diminuendo’s overall level of ability. As we all know, though, the formbook doesn’t always tell the full story and, on that particular day, Melodist was – quite literally – her equal, forcing the dead heat right on the line. It was an incredibly exciting race and one of the highlights of my racing year!

After the race, a reason quickly emerged for Diminuendo’s below-par showing: she had come into season just beforehand. Although not seen to best advantage, she had nonetheless shown real courage to split the verdict and lost nothing in reputation as a result. She bounced back in style the following month, putting the Curragh race behind her to thump Sudden Love once again in the Yorkshire Oaks and become a rare triple G1 Oaks winner in the process. She was now a hot favourite for the St Leger, to add to her Classic haul, but fate was about to play a cruel hand for her jockey. Towards the end of August, Cauthen suffered a horrible fall at Goodwood. It was a televised race on one of those murky, sea-fretty days at the course, which matched the sombre mood of the broadcast as he lay prone on the turf. No screens or privacy in those days; we all gawped on in concern as he was treated and, eventually, painstakingly moved to an ambulance. It transpired the Kentucky Kid had (I think) fractured a vertebra in his neck; he would recover thankfully, but his season was over. Meaning that the ride on Diminuendo in the Leger was up for grabs…

My mind was racing now, as you can imagine, as I checked and rechecked for any likely Stoute-trained Leger horses that might prevent Walter from being in the frame as substitute jockey. There were none! Within days, it was confirmed that Walter and Diminuendo would be united at Doncaster and I was on cloud nine. Surely nothing could stand in their way? She was head and shoulders – in ability at least – above the small field in opposition, and the added distance was neither here nor there, right? She would emulate Oh So Sharp and make light of it, breaking Walter’s Leger hoodoo and proving they were the new dream team…

History tells us it didn’t quite work out that way of course. She battled hard but was outstayed by Minster Son, beaten 1l. I never did like Willie Carson, and he was now insufferable as both breeder and jockey of the winner! Meanwhile I was absolutely gutted and it proved a salutary lesson in taking nothing for granted when it comes to racing, let alone a Classic win. Diminuendo and Walter had one more go together in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe the following month but it smacked of an afterthought. Her Leger exertions and/or long season had almost certainly left their mark by then, as she faded in the straight to finish 10th behind Tony Bin. So my brief fantasy of a new all-star partnership came to nothing, as that was Diminuendo’s final race before retiring to stud.

Diminuendo doesn’t have an outstanding record as a broodmare but, amongst six foals I’ve found information for, she did produce the standout Calando (by Storm Cat) who triumphed in the 1998 May Hill Stakes, as well as placing in the G1 Fillies’ Mile and French 1,000 Guineas. As a small filly, it isn’t surprising to see that she appears to have been mated with big strong stallions, to try to get some size into her offspring, and Storm Cat very much fits that bill. Calando has gone on to breed several decent horses herself, notably the Listed winners Champlain (Chesham stakes) and Calare, so this remains an active family whose history may yet be added to in the coming years. Let’s hope that the story isn’t over yet.

Take care everyone, and I’ll be back next week to look at one of the subjects you’ve raised – do keep your ideas coming if there’s anything you’d like me to cover.

Caroline.