From the private collection of Dale Wyatt. Used by permission.
Probably the best stayer bred by Harry Payne Whitney, Diavolo was quick enough to be a stakes winner at 2 but stayed well enough to win at two miles and more at 4. While he was beaten by Sun Beau both times that they met during the 1929 season, he was conceding 11 pounds during the first defeat, and his consistency in the major distance events in New York and Maryland was a major factor in historians' awarding him a share of the handicap division's championship. He was a useful stallion but left little lasting mark on breeding.
Race record
29 starts, 10 wins, 4 seconds, 3 thirds, US$107,540
1927:
1928:
1929:
Honors
American co-champion handicap male (1929)
Assessments
Rated third among American older males of 1929 by The Blood-Horse, which ranked Sun Beau (the other co-champion by consensus of racing historians) and Misstep ahead of him.
As an individual
A chestnut horse, Diavolo was a courageous, genuine runner on the track.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, Diavolo sired 154 winners (77.8%) and 15 stakes winners (7.6%) from 198 named foals.
Notable progeny
Mars Shield (USA), Teufel (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Diavolo was bred by Harry Payne Whitney. He was owned by Whealley Stable. He was trained by James “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons.
Pedigree notes
Diavolo is inbred 4x5 to three-time American champion Hindoo. He is a half brother to stakes winner Angry (by John P. Grier) and to Vexing (by Broomstick), dam of 1937 Wood Memorial Stakes winner Melodist (by Royal Minstrel).
Vexatious, the dam of Diavolo, is generally considered the co-champion American 3-year-old filly of 1919. She is a half sister to 1920 Flash Stakes winner Moody (by Broomstick) and is out of Contrary (by Hamburg), a half sister to multiple juvenile stakes winner Pesky (by Broomstick). The next dam in Diavolo's tail-female line, Perverse (by Meddler), is generally considered the American champion 2-year-old filly of 1905 and is a full sister to Stalwart, a winner of six good stakes races at ages 2 and 3. Through another daughter, Traverse (by Tracery), Perverse is the third dam of 1954 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Traffic Court, a good race mare in her own right and the dam of the top-class racers Hasty Road and Traffic Judge.
Fun facts
Race record
29 starts, 10 wins, 4 seconds, 3 thirds, US$107,540
1927:
- Won Tremont Stakes (USA, 6FD, Aqueduct)
1928:
- 2nd Lawrence Realization (USA, 13FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Brookdale Handicap (USA, 9FD, Aqueduct)
- 3rd Belmont Stakes (USA, 12FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Brooklyn Handicap (USA, 9FD, Aqueduct)
1929:
- Won Dixie Handicap (USA, 9.5FD, Pimlico)
- Won Jockey Club Gold Cup (USA, 16FD, Belmont)
- Won Bowie Handicap (USA, 12FD, Pimlico)
- Won Pimlico Cup (USA, 18FD, Pimlico)
- Won Saratoga Cup (USA, 14FD, Saratoga)
- Won Saratoga Handicap (USA, 10FD, Saratoga)
- Won Brookdale Handicap (USA, 9FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Brooklyn Handicap (USA, 9FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Aqueduct Handicap (USA, 9FD, Aqueduct)
- 3rd Hawthorne Gold Cup (USA, 10FD, Hawthorne)
Honors
American co-champion handicap male (1929)
Assessments
Rated third among American older males of 1929 by The Blood-Horse, which ranked Sun Beau (the other co-champion by consensus of racing historians) and Misstep ahead of him.
As an individual
A chestnut horse, Diavolo was a courageous, genuine runner on the track.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, Diavolo sired 154 winners (77.8%) and 15 stakes winners (7.6%) from 198 named foals.
Notable progeny
Mars Shield (USA), Teufel (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Diavolo was bred by Harry Payne Whitney. He was owned by Whealley Stable. He was trained by James “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons.
Pedigree notes
Diavolo is inbred 4x5 to three-time American champion Hindoo. He is a half brother to stakes winner Angry (by John P. Grier) and to Vexing (by Broomstick), dam of 1937 Wood Memorial Stakes winner Melodist (by Royal Minstrel).
Vexatious, the dam of Diavolo, is generally considered the co-champion American 3-year-old filly of 1919. She is a half sister to 1920 Flash Stakes winner Moody (by Broomstick) and is out of Contrary (by Hamburg), a half sister to multiple juvenile stakes winner Pesky (by Broomstick). The next dam in Diavolo's tail-female line, Perverse (by Meddler), is generally considered the American champion 2-year-old filly of 1905 and is a full sister to Stalwart, a winner of six good stakes races at ages 2 and 3. Through another daughter, Traverse (by Tracery), Perverse is the third dam of 1954 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Traffic Court, a good race mare in her own right and the dam of the top-class racers Hasty Road and Traffic Judge.
Fun facts
- “Diavolo” means “devil” in Italian.