Medaglia d’Oro dies at age 27

Perennial leading sire Medaglia d’Oro passed away at Jonabell Farm on Friday, October 16, at the age of 27.

The sire of 31 G1 winners and more than 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 G1 winners in 2017, he commanded a fee of $250,000. Among American stallions, only Mr. Prospector, Danzig and Storm Cat have had as many G1 winners in a single year. He also sired a record three Kentucky Oaks 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 over $5.7 million and running 14 triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures. He won the G1 Travers Stakes at three, the G1 Whitney Handicap at four and the G1 Donn Handicap at five, as well as the G2 Jim Dandy, G2 San Felipe, G2 Strub and G2 Oaklawn Handicap. He was also second in the Belmont Stakes, the Pacific Classic, the Dubai World Cup and in back-to-back editions of the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Medaglia d’Oro retired to stud at Hill ’n’ Dale Farm in 2005 before moving to Stonewall Farm in 2006. His first crop included Rachel Alexandra, winner of the Kentucky Oaks by more than 20 lengths. In June of 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, the Haskell and the Woodward and was named 2009 Horse of the Year.

He was pensioned at the end of the 2025 breeding season. His runners continue to win at the highest level, with five Graded Stakes winners in 2026 including G1 Ogden Phipps winner Nitrogen and G1 Del Mar Oaks and G1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup winner Tam Tam.

Dan Pride, COO of Godolphin America, said “Medaglia d’Oro leaves a legacy that will not be forgotten. He achieved greatness on the track and in the stallion barn. We are grateful for all who supported him through the years. He knew he was special and quickly became a fan favorite on the farm.”

Medaglia d’Oro will be buried at Jonabell Farm.