One of the most popular racehorses of this century has passed away.

The 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes Winner FUNNY CIDE died due to complications of colic at 23 years old.

The son of DISTORTED HUMOR who ran out of Sackatoga Stables Won $3,529,412 in 38 starts.

The gelding retired in 2007 with a record of 11-6-8 for trainer Barclay Tagg.

Undefeated as a 2-year-old, New York-bred FUNNY CIDE Won his debut at Belmont Park and followed with Victories there in the Bertram F. Bongard Stakes and Sleepy Hollow Stakes.

The following year he was 2nd in the Louisiana Derby and Wood Memorial Stakes before reaching his best form right on time.

He would capture the Kentucky Derby by 1 3/4 lengths over Derby favorite EMPIRE MAKER, who had edged FUNNY CIDE by a half-length in the Wood Memorial.

With the Win, FUNNY CIDE became the first gelding to win the Derby since CLYDE VAN DUSEN in 1929.

FUNNY CIDE would then blitz his Preakness Stakes rivals under regular rider and eventual Hall of Famer Jose Santos, drawing off in the stretch for an easy 9 3/4 length Victory.

He would come up short in his pursuit of the Triple Crown, finishing 3rd to EMPIRE MAKER in the Belmont Stakes.

FUNNY CIDE closed out his 3-year-old campaign with a 3rd-place finish in the Haskell Invitational Handicap and an off-the-board finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park.

Sackatoga Stable tweeted July 16: “We are heartbroken at the news of FUNNY CIDE’S passing this morning. What a ride The Gutsy Gelding took us on, Winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes,” To say we will miss him, is an understatement.”

Amen. R.I.P. FUNNY CIDE.