From golden to blue chip: Medaglia d'Oro

Medaglia d’Oro. Translation: gold medal. An absolutely appropriate name for one of the world’s premier stallions whose progeny continue to distinguish themselves at the highest levels of racing worldwide.

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 in Kentucky. As a stallion, he’s made it the hard way: his race record was good enough to attract some well-known breeders, but as a son of El Prado he was hardly flavor of the month. 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 proved 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 who can forget her 20-length triumph 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 current year G1 winner C. S. Silk as well as past G1 winners Gabby’s Golden Gal and Warrior’s Reward.  Furthermore, if you take a look at the 2006, 2007 and 2008 crops of all stallions, Medaglia d’Oro is represented by more G1 performers than any other sire. And although he gets G1 winners on all surfaces, he reigns supreme as the leading dirt stallion with seven G1 dirt performers during from 2006-2008 as well.

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 domestic G1 winner Champagne d’Oro. Jump ahead one more crop and you’ll find Plum Pretty who replicated her “half-sister” Rachel Alexandra in winning the 2011 Kentucky Oaks and now is in the race for year-end championship honors.

As mentioned before, Medaglia d’Oro produces great-looking horses. Testament to this is the fact that he has sired more session toppers at the major sales since 2007 than any other sire. He added to his total of seven during the Saratoga Select Yearling Sale when hip number 56 reached a final bid of $1.2 million. A stallion’s pedigree, the bay colt is a half-brother to 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver.

A proven racehorse. A proven sire of outstanding-looking progeny. A proven sire of runners. That is Medaglia d’Oro. Excitement seems to follow him whether it’s watching his progeny on the track or watching the bid board at the major sales. Success comes on all surfaces and in all sales rings. Another Blue Chip stallion with a very bright future.