First Dude, honored as Florida Stallion of the Year in both 2017 and 2018, and recognized as Florida’s leading freshman sire in 2015 and leading second crop sire in 2016, passed away last night at the age of 19. He died at Donald R. Dizney’s Double Diamond Farm in Ocala, Florida.
Dizney expressed deep sorrow, highlighting First Dude’s significance not only to his family but to everyone at Double Diamond Farm—including groom and stallion manager Jesse Rodriguez, office staff, and the many visitors who brought him peppermints. “He was more than just a stallion to us; he was a cherished part of our extended family,” Dizney shared.
As a homebred for Dizney and a multiple graded stakes winner for Don and Irene Dizney, First Dude earned $1,442,140 over his career. He closed out his racing days in 2011 with three consecutive victories, including a hard-fought triumph in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup at Hollywood Park, where he beat notable horses Game On Dude and Twirling Candy. He also won the Grade 3 Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs that year.
During his strong 3-year-old season in 2010, First Dude consistently ranked among the top of his class. He was runner-up in the Preakness Stakes by just three-quarters of a length behind Lookin at Lucky, and finished second by a neck in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby. He also earned third-place finishes in several prestigious races: the Belmont Stakes, Grade 1 Travers Stakes, Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, and Grade 1 Izod Haskell Invitational Stakes.
First Dude retired with a solid record of four wins, five seconds, and four thirds from 17 starts, finishing in the money in over 75% of his races.
Beginning his breeding career at Double Diamond Farm in 2012, First Dude stood there through the 2026 season, producing 14 crops with 12 old enough to race. His offspring have amassed nearly $30 million in earnings. Out of 538 racing-age foals, 80% started races and 56% became winners. He consistently ranked among Florida’s top sires, placing in the top three for seven of his first nine crops, finishing fourth in 2016 and 2022, and maintaining a top 10 position as recently as 2024.
His standout progeny include Shamrock Rose, the 2018 Eclipse Award-winning female sprinter and winner of the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Churchill Downs; Maryquitecontrary, a Grade 2 Inside Information victor with earnings over $700,000; Skye Diamonds, winner of the G2 Great Lady M, G3 Rancho Bernardo Handicap, and G3 L.A. Woman Stakes with nearly $700,000 in earnings; Mom’s On Strike, who won the G3 Bewitch Stakes and G3 Old Forester Mint Julep and earned close to $600,000; as well as multiple stakes winners Flora Dora, Ready to Runaway, and Charlie’s Wish.
This article was originally published by Paulick Report on September 24, 2026, where it appeared in the News section. To add Paulick Report as a preferred source, click here.
Fan Take: First Dude’s passing marks the loss of a truly influential figure in Florida racing and breeding, as his legacy lives on through his successful progeny and lasting impact on the sport. For horse racing fans, this news is a reminder of how pivotal great stallions are to the future of the industry, shaping generations of competitive racehorses and strengthening regional breeding programs.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
