Prominent sire of multiple champions Medaglia d'Oro passed away at Darley America Jonabell Farm Oct. 16 at the age of 27, the farm announced.
The sire of 31 grade 1 winners and 100 graded stakes winners, his top runners included Eclipse champions Rachel Alexandra, Songbird, and Nitrogen, along with three-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty. At the peak of his stud career, after having seven individual grade 1 winners in 2017, he commanded a fee of $250,000. Among American stallions, only Mr Prospector, Danzig, and Storm Cat have had as many grade 1 winners in a single year. He also sired a record three Kentucky Oaks (G1) winners in Rachel Alexandra, Plum Pretty, and Good Cheer.
Bred in Kentucky by Albert and Joyce Bell, Medaglia d’Oro raced for Edmund Gann and was trained by Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel. He won eight of his 17 starts, earning more than $5.7 million and running 14 triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures. He won the 2002 Travers Stakes (G1) at 3, the 2003 Whitney Handicap (G1) at 4, and the 2004 Donn Handicap (G1) at 5, as well as the 2002 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2), 2002 San Felipe Stakes (G2), 2003 Strub Stakes (G2), and 2003 Oaklawn Handicap (G2). He was also second in the 2002 Belmont Stakes (G1), 2003 Pacific Classic Stakes (G1), 2004 Dubai World Cup (G1), and in back-to-back editions of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
Medaglia d'Oro retired to stud at Hill 'n' Dale Farms in 2005 before moving to Stonewall Farm in 2006. His first crop included Rachel Alexandra, winner of the 2009 Kentucky Oaks by 20 1/4 lengths. In June 2009, Darley purchased a majority interest, and he was moved to Jonabell Farm, where he stood in partnership with Colts Neck Stallions. Rachel Alexandra went on to beat colts in the Preakness Stakes (G1), Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1), and Woodward Stakes (G1), and was named 2009 Horse of the Year.
