When you cover a standout harem of mares, expectations are high, and with the likes of G1 winners Rinky Dink, Preserve, Belle Bizzare, My Tusker, Shamekha, Star Shiraz and Zacheline foaling at present, the future stars of tomorrow could be part of this crop.
Among Medaglia d'Oro’s 2011 Stakes haul alone, he has sired G1 Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty and G1 Just A Game Handicap winner C. S. Silk. His other 2011 Graded Stakes winners are Vision In Gold, Super Espresso, Devil By Design and recent G3 winner Marketing Mix. Medaglia d'Oro is also the sire of a further five G1 winners highlighted by Horse of the Year and super mare Rachel Alexandra.
One of his first southern hemisphere foals to arrive this spring was the filly foal (pictured top right) out of the Stakes-performing Elusive Quality mare Melpomene. A half-sister to the G3 Skyline Stakes place-getter Romanus, Melpomene is a daughter of G1 VRC Oaks winner Bulla Borghese.
The very next day the Gooree Stud-bred Makarova gave birth to an impressive bay colt. From one of the best families in the Australian stud book, this colt is out of a half-sister to G1-winning sires Umatilla and Hurricane Sky as well as the dams of Al Maher, Manhattan Rain, Platinum Scissors, Sliding Cube and Redoute’s Choice.
We have had some quality mares deliver foals by Medaglia including G1 Blue Diamond placegetter Maka Ena (Exceed And Excel) who foaled a bay colt (pictured middle right), while G2-winning Octagonal mare Hosannah foaled a bay filly. Already the dam of last season’s G2-winning Commands filly Altar, Hosannah will make a return visit to Commands again this season. Stakes-winning Anabaa mare Key Bar Nights foaled a bay filly by Medaglia d’Oro (pictured bottom right) mid August.
G2-winning Red Ransom mare Romneya gave birth to a brown filly by Medaglia d’Oro, her first foal, on the last day of August. From another blue-blood family, this mare is closely related to two-year-old filly Kyria, who was a standout performer at the first two-year-old barrier trials held in Sydney on September 19.
Another born on the same day as the above mentioned filly was a foal of the same sex, this time from the G1-winning Canny Lad mare Preserve, a full-sister to Listed winner Rio Osa, and a half-sister to G1-winning Darley stallion Denman.
One of the last foals we have had by the triple G1-winning son of El Prado is the third foal of the G1-winning Distorted Humor mare Rinky Dink. Foaled on September 17, this filly is a half-brother to the promising Redoute’s Choice three-year-old colt Galah.
Covering his second southern hemisphere-bred book of mares as we speak, recent comments by John Ferguson provide a befitting overview of Medagalia d’Oro’s physical attributes and his growing influence in the sire ranks: “Bobby Frankel used to drag friends into his barn to admire Medaglia d’Oro: ‘A specimen!’ he called him, and that’s exactly what he is, an outstanding individual and arguably the best-looking horse standing at stud."
Ferguson continued, “From the outset, he produced a number of outstanding-looking yearlings who sold well and who – far more significantly – have performed at the highest level. Rachel Alexandra was a great flagship for him, since when he has proven conclusively that he can get top-quality racehorses who excel on all racing surfaces.”
When mentioning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, many defining moments come to mind: a thrilling victory over the best of her generation in the Classic Preakness; her hard-fought win over older horses in the G1 Whitney; and her unforgettable 20-length romp in the G1 Kentucky Oaks. But her sire is much more than a one-horse stallion.
Rachel Alexandra is one of 16 Stakes winners from Medagalia d’Oro’s first crop, a group of over-achievers that also includes the previously mentioned G1 winner C. S. Silk as well as further G1 winners Gabby’s Golden Gal and Warrior’s Reward.
Success continued with his second crop of foals exemplified by the addition of two other G1 winners in European standout Passion For Gold and the American G1 winner Champagne d’Oro. Jump ahead one more crop and you’ll find Plum Pretty who replicated Rachel Alexandra in winning the 2011 Kentucky Oaks and now is in the race for year-end championship honours.
Standing the current breeding season for a fee of $77,000 (inc GST) at Kelvinside, Medaglia d’Oro is a proven racehorse, a proven sire of outstanding-looking progeny, and proven sire of runners. Excitement seems to follow him whether it’s watching his progeny on the track or watching the bid board at the major sales. If you too would like to be part of the success of this Blue Chip stallion, please contact one of the nominations team.
