It was announced on October 9th by Japan Studbook International that 2004 G1 Kikuka Sho and 2006 G1 Melbourne Cup winner Delta Blues passed away on October 8th due to laminitis. He was 23 years old. Delta Blues had a career record of 32 starts with 6 wins (including 2 starts overseas with 1 win). He had been spending his retirement at Old Friends Japan in Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture.

The organization released a statement saying, "Delta Blues, who joined us in 2021, had a commanding presence, like a pillar of strength. We truly believed we had many more memories to make with him, so this farewell is incredibly difficult and deeply regrettable."