Dubai Millennium dead

Dubai Millennium has died from grass sickness. He had been ill for some time. Godolphin's European horse of the year in 2000 was put own on Sunday night aged five. Owner Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock adviser John Ferguson said: "Dubai Millennium became uncomfortable on Sunday and it was evident a third emergency surgery was necessary."

Dubai Millennium has died from grass sickness. He had been ill for some time. Godolphin's European horse of the year in 2000 was put own on Sunday night aged five. Owner Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock adviser John Ferguson said: "Dubai Millennium became uncomfortable on Sunday and it was evident a third emergency surgery was necessary."

The surgery was carried out by Huw Neal and Dr Dan Hawkins at Greenwood, Ellis Partners in Newmarket. But Ferguson explained: "It soon became clear there were complications of the intestinal tract that were inoperable. His prospects were hopeless and on humane grounds Dubai Millennium was not allowed to recover from the anaesthetic."

Dubai Millennium will be buried in the stallion graveyard at Sheikh Mohammed's Dalham Hall Stud ­ where he was foaled and also stood as a stallion. The horse was destined for greatness from the day Sheikh Mohammed changed his name from Yaazer to Dubai Millennium after hearing of his prowess on David Loder's gallops at Newmarket.

He registered a runaway win in a maiden at Yarmouth on his debut as a two-year-old before joining his owner's Dubai-based operation. And the horse proved a fine standard-bearer for his country on his return in 1999, when he won five of his six starts and proved himself Europe's top three-year-old miler with wins in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Prix Jacques le Marois.

He appeared not to stay the mile-and-a-half distance of the Derby. Sent off favourite, he could finish only ninth to Oath, suffering what the only defeat of his career.

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

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 £2.75m in prize money.

He had covered a reported three-quarters of his first book of mares when he was struck down by the grass sickness which claimed his life.

Dubai Millennium was ridden by Frankie Dettori in his first nine races with American Jerry Bailey deputising for the injured Italian at Royal Ascot in what turned out to be his last race. News of Dubai Millennium's death has hit Dettori hard. The jockey said: "I'm absolutely devastated ­ it's a tragedy. He was one of the best horses I've ridden."

* There will be a strong British challenge for the Premio Parioli (the Italian 2000 Guineas) in Rome today: Mick Channon's CD Europe (Steve Drowne), Richard Hannon's Bram Stoker (Dane O'Neill) and the Sean Woods-trained Cauvery (Frankie Dettori). CD Europe is drawn on the wide outside. Clive Brittain's Zaheemah, second in the Nell Gwyn Stakes, will be ridden by Dettori in the Premio Regina Elena (Italian 1,000 Guineas).

* Ascot's meeting tomorrow has been abandoned due to waterlogging.