by Myra Lewyn

Act of Diplomacy, who was purchased for $8.2-million at the 2006 Keeneland September yearling sale, broke down in a race at Jebel Ali last month and was euthanized.

The four-year-old Storm Cat colt out of Grade 1 winner Awesome Humor, by Distorted Humor, had seized command 300 meters out and suffered a catastrophic injury to his left foreleg at the 100-meter mark in the 1,400-meter (6.96-furlong) dirt race on March 20.

The dark bay or brown colt was eased by jockey Tadhg O’Shea and attended to by the track veterinarian, but he could not be saved and was subsequently euthanized.

Act of Diplomacy was trained by Erwan Charpy for Sheikh Saeed bin Mohammed al Maktoum, a son of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum.

Act of Diplomacy was bought at the Keeneland sale by John Ferguson, bloodstock adviser for Sheikh Mohammed, and was winless in two starts in England for trainer Saeed bin Suroor. His start at Jebel Ali was his first in more than five months and first for Charpy.

Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, Act of Diplomacy is the first foal out of 2002 Spinaway Stakes (G1) winner Awesome Humor and was consigned to the Keeneland September sale by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. His price tag was the third-highest at the sale, which was topped by Meydan City, a Kingmambo colt whom Ferguson bought for a Keeneland September record price of $11.7-million.

Act of Diplomacy’s purchase price ranks him as the seventh highest-priced yearling in auction history and fourth highest at Keeneland September.

Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor