Vale, Hayasugi

Tara Madgwick - Thursday January 2

A brilliant winner of the 2024 Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, top class three year-old filly Hayasugi is sadly no longer with us with her trainer Clinton McDonald announcing the tragic news of her passing on Thursday.

Hayasugi brought gret joy to her connections during her brief career - image Racing Photos

Hayasugi had undergone surgery on a hind foot issue in October last year and had been battling complications from that surgery for some time with connections taking the tough decision to euthanize the Group I winning daughter of Royal Meeting (IRE)..

"The ownership group is devastated by this difficult decision but is very proud of her achievements both on and off the field," a Clinton McDonald Racing statement read.

"She demonstrated her electric turn of foot and perseverance toward the finishing post, and she was undoubtedly among the best of all juveniles for the 2023/24 season.

"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 Stakes series."

Advertisement

"We would like to thank the veterinary team, led by Dr. Massimo Deli-Rocchili for their efforts in trying to save her, as well as all the other professionals who provided us with invaluable options during her valiant struggle for survival.

"Hayasugi's anticipated journey was tragically cut short, but her legacy and fighting spirit will live on among us forever."

Purchased for $47,500 at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale from Fairhill Farm by James Bester Bloodstock / Rathosheen Bloodstock (Shane McGrath) / C Mok, Hayasugi won three of eight starts earning $1.7million.

Advertisment
More Reading...
New Zoustar SW in Hong Kong
After four days of racing in 2026, Zoustar already has two stakes-winners on the board with his Northern Hemisphere bred son Stellar Express (FR) taking out the Group III Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Hayasugi Continues on Winning Way In G1 Blue Diamond Stakes
The Royal Meeting (IRE) filly Hayasugi may finally have earned the respect she deserves when leading home a 1-2-3-4 for fillies in Saturday’s $2,000,000 Group 1 Sportsbet Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Catalogue Updates This Week - Stakes Races and Warwoven
The last few days of racing has seen plenty of black type updates including three new stakes winners into pedigrees and another four new stakes placed.
Sebring Sun Debut winner for Newnham
Former Randwick trainer Mark Newnham extended his lead at the top of the Hong Kong trainers’ championship at sha tin on Sunday when Supreme Sea made a winning debut over 1200m.
Sword of State Kiwi Quinella
Warwoven was not the only 2YO winner for Sword of State on Saturday and it will now be an anxious few weeks for the connections of State The Obvious as they wait to see if their filly makes the cut for the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 24.
Ole Kirk MM Gallery
Vinery Stud’s Ole Kirk looks sure to be a long term resident at the pointy end with early success and big books coming, so let’s have a look at what’s on offer at Magic Millions this year.
Twin Hills Magic Quality – First Yearlings for Daumier
The undulating terrain at Cootamundra in the south west of NSW is prime horse country with the Twin Hills Stud nursery producing some outstanding gallopers in 2025 and they offer a diverse draft of 16 for Magic Millions including five by Blue Diamond winner Daumier.
Lassified Adds to Inglis Festive Cheer
The Listed Wellesley Stakes winner Lassified (Stay Inside) is the ninth individual Stakes-winning Inglis graduate across Australasia over the festive period.
Royal Meeting Filly Hayasugi Leads Home First Season Sire Trifecta in G3 Blue Diamond Preview
A sensational way for Leneva Park’s Royal Meeting (IRE) to get off the mark with Hayasugi leading home a first-season trifecta in the $200,000 Group III Sportsbet Blue Diamond Preview for fillies at Caulfield on Saturday.
Diamond Day for G1 Breeders
The remarkable win of Hayasugi in the $2million Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes last Saturday made a lot of people happy, but none more so than her breeders Mike O’Donnell and Michael Kirwan, who were both at Caulfield to share in the excitement.