Dubai Millennium dies

Dubai Millennium died last night following a week-long struggle against Equine Grass Sickness.

Dubai Millennium died last night following a week-long struggle against Equine Grass Sickness.

The 2000 European horse of the year was five years old.

In a statement, John Ferguson, Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock adviser, said: Dubai Millennium became uncomfortable on Sunday night, and it was evident that a third emergency surgery was necessary.

Ferguson explained: "It soon became clear that there were complications of the intestinal tract that were inoperable.

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"His prospects were hopeless and, on humane grounds, Dubai Millennium was not allowed to recover from the anaesthetic."

In 1999, Dubai Millennium proved himself Europe's top three-year-old miler with wins in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Prix Jacques le Marois.

At Epsom, however, he appeared not to stay the mile-and-a-half trip in the Derby. Sent off favourite he could finish only ninth, suffering what turned out to be the only defeat of his career.

But Dubai Millennium proved himself a world-beater over 10 furlongs last year. He ran away with the 2000 Dubai World Cup and put up a breath-taking display to land the Group One Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.

But just as a match with French champion Montjeu was being planned last August Dubai Millennium fractured a leg on the gallops and had to be retired.

He went to stud the winner of nine career races and Stg£2.75 million in prize money.

Dubai Millennium had covered a reported three-quarters of his first book of mares when he was struck down by the grass sickness.He will be buried in the stallion graveyard at Sheikh Mohammed's Dalham Hall Stud.