Blue Diamond winner Hayasugi dies following surgery

Last year’s Blue Diamond (Gr 1, 1100m) winner Hayasugi (Royal Meeting) has died due to complications following foot surgery.  

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of 2024 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Hayasugi, who valiantly fought on-going complications post-surgery,” the three-time winner’s trainer Clinton McDonald said in a statement on Thursday.

“Unfortunately, we had no alternative but to euthanize her this afternoon. The ownership group is devastated by this difficult decision but very proud of her achievements both on and off the field.

“On the field she demonstrated her electric turn of foot and perseverance towards the finishing post and she was undoubtedly among the best of all juveniles for the 2023/24 season. 

“Off the field she exhibited the best temperament and was as adorable as her ownership group. We are sure Hayasugi will be fondly remembered by the racing world for her clean sweep of the 2024 Blue Diamond series. Hayasugi’s anticipated journey was tragically cut short but her legacy and fighting spirit will live on among us forever.” 

Purchased by Shane McGrath for $47,500 at the 2022 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, Hayasugi became the first Group 1 winner for Lovatsville stallion Royal Meeting (Invincible Spirit) from his first crop.

Following her triumphant two-year-old season, she raced only two times as a three-year-old, for a second placing at weight-for-age in the Moir Stakes (Gr 1, 1000m) before a ninth placing in the Manikato Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m). She ended her career with three wins and two second placings from just eight starts for earnings of $1.78 million.