Gerry Dilger Passes Away

[Wandering Eyes]

Horseman Gerry Dilger has passed away, according the published reports. The Irishman operated Dromoland Farm in Kentucky and the sales consignment of the same name. He also co-bred GI Kentucky Derby hero Always Dreaming (Bodemeister) with Mike Ryan.

“Gerry Dilger was a hero to us all,” Tom Ryan tweeted. “That big welcoming smile, he never refused a youngster an opportunity, when it came to his family & business he stood 7-foot tall oozing pride and conviction. That little man from Clare will forever be remembered as a giant. Sláinte Gerry.”

A native of County Clare, Dilger came to the United States in 1978 after graduation from the Irish National Stud course the previous year. He began working at a Lexington farm and eventually became a farm manager. He started a weanling-to-yearling pinhooking partnership with Mike Ryan and the success of that venture led to him buying Dromoland Farm.

Always Dreaming is not the only Derby winner Dilger had ties to. Along with partners Ted Campion and Pat Costello, he bought 2015 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist (Uncle Mo) for $180,000 as a weanling at Keeneland November in 2013 and raised him at Dromoland. They resold him for $230,000 at Keeneland September to a group that, ironically, included Ryan. Finally, Nyquist was bought for $400,000 at the 2015 Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Olds in Training by Reddam Racing.

Dilger also co-bred Always Dreaming’s Grade I-winning half-sister Hot Dixie Chick (Dixie Union). She won the 2009 GI Spinaway S. at Saratoga and the next day a horse named Dublin (Afleet Alex), who Dilger bred with Peter Blum, captured the GI Hopeful S.

In a TDN story on Dilger after he won the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s annual Wild Geese Award, which is given to someone from Ireland who has excelled outside of their native country while “flying the Irish flag with pride on a global stage,” Mike Ryan said, “Gerry is one of the best horsemen I have ever met,” Ryan said. “His specialty is looking at young stock, which is not easy because they change so much. He’s always upbeat, always thinking positive. Even when the horse business was going through challenging times he was always cheerful and bright. You don’t ever see him down. If you do, something must really be bothering him. I think that’s part of the reason for his success, that he has a positive attitude and he loves what he’s doing.”

Commenting on Dilger as a person in that same article, Ryan said, “He’s a tremendous human being, just a great guy,” he said. “If you are in trouble he’d be the first man you’d call because he’d always be there for you. He’s been a terrific friend to me for 40 plus years. All the years we’ve been together as partners we’ve never had an argument.”

Many prominent members of the industry took to Twitter Wednesday morning, writing tributes to the beloved Dilger.

Canadian breeder and consignor Dave Anderson of Anderson Farms wrote, “I was stabled beside Gerry at Keeneland in my first sale after my dad died. He took me under his wing and helped me thru it like a great coach. I will be forever grateful. He told me how much he loved my dad. I just wish I had a chance to say the same to him. Love you Gerry. RIP”

Florida horseman and consignor Colin Brennan said, “We lost a G1W of a man. Gerry Dilger was a wonderful man, friend, horseman, and so much more. His cheery Irish personality and jokes will be deeply missed.”

Breeder John Gunther of Glenwood Farm tweeted, “I met Gerry Dilger when I first came to Kentucky 30 plus years ago. We often met at Goshen’s for a beer and a few laughs. Very memorable times. Will miss his smiling face at the sales. RIP Gerry.”

This story will be updated later today.

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