Medaglia d'Oro

[Gary Irish]

Looking at the Stallion Register (2023) while eating lunch I turned to the above stallion. I tried to recall the last time he had a truly top horse.

He\'s a foal of 1999, and has had a fine stud career, but it might be time to look elsewhere. The page touts a recent (2023 juveniles) crop as his best-bred. Of course it is their job to paint a rosy picture. Some farms are annoying with the things they say. But of the twenty (best) horses named on his page the latest was a foal of 2016.

He stood for $150k as recently as 2021. Then $100k the last two years. The pedigree page list him for $75k next year.

He has two good sire sons in Violence and Bolt d\'Oro.I don\'t know about Astern, but probably should not be forgotten. Time to call it a day (?).

[hooper]

Watch some Golden Sixty replays. Top class.

[Gary Irish]

I wasn\'t familiar with Golden Sixty, but he is mentioned in last years (2022) book. A winner of 25 of 29 starts, he was HOY in Hong Kong for 2021. Sadly, a gelding.

My point was recency. Sixty is a foal of 2015. I suppose this was written because it might be over for him as a sire of sires. And while Forte is a fine prospect, I view Violence as hit or miss. And Bolt d\'Oro is so new - I thought promising - the easy part is over. A stallion is made in subsequent years. First year can be the pinnacle for many studs.

El Prado exceeded expectations, but Artie Schiller, Paddy O\'Prado, Kitten\'s Joy, and Medaglia d\'Oro have not continued the male line strongly. Oscar Performance gives hope.

Maybe Medaglia can pull a Giant\'s Causeway - sire a son very late in the game who shines and sires runners - like Not This Time.

[Gary Irish]

Gary Irish Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Looking at the Stallion Register (2023) while
> eating lunch I turned to the above stallion. I
> tried to recall the last time he had a truly top
> horse.
>
> He\'s a foal of 1999, and has had a fine stud
> career, but it might be time to look elsewhere.
> The page touts a recent (2023 juveniles) crop as
> his best-bred. Of course it is their job to paint
> a rosy picture. Some farms are annoying with the
> things they say. But of the twenty (best) horses
> named on his page the latest was a foal of 2016.
>
> He stood for $150k as recently as 2021. Then $100k
> the last two years. The pedigree page list him for
> $75k next year.
>
> He has two good sire sons in Violence and Bolt
> d\'Oro.I don\'t know about Astern, but probably
> should not be forgotten. Time to call it a day
> (?).

I found the 2024 Stallion Register on my front porch today - always a welcome arrival. Looking at the Saturday FG Gun Runner Stakes, I note the ML favorite is the Brad Cox trained Godolphin homebred Nash (7/5) by Medaglia d\'Oro. His open length maiden breaking victory at CD last time out earned him a best in field 97 Beyer. It was also his two turn debut. His next closest rival has an 88 (Track Phantom 7/2).

Looking over the new Register, I see the same 20 top runners as last year. What to make of this? An opportunity, I hope.

Hell - I\'ll speak plainly. I\'m playing against him.

[apindy62]

Great info Gary. I am really high on Bolt d\'Oro as a sire but a little skeptical on Violence. A horse better have some serious stamina on the dam side to be considered for the classics or any race beyond 1 1/16. I was anti Forte even though he had Blame on the bottom so I was wrong again doubting his ability to get classic distances.

[Gary Irish]

The great thing about Bolt is that he is an outcross - no inbreeding whatsoever. It strikes me having Lord At War close up adds something positive.

Violence has rebounded somewhat. His initial crop included 9 SW but that slid to 7 then 5 then 3 in his next three years. Foals of 2019 (his 5th crop) saw 4 then 6 for 2020.

Both are commanding a $60k fee. The former at Spendthrift, the latter at Hill N Dale.

I thought Forte was as game a horse as I\'ve seen in years. I hope he passes it on.