Medaglia Magic

re: Medaglia Magic

LittleGuyOwner — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 17:24:58 GMT

There's a lot to be said for first training a horse to have confidence and build true fitness before ever dumping him on a racetrack. A confident, mentally fit horse has the potential to be a far better athlete than one who is trained in the typical 23/7 fashion of today. Too bad more horses aren't trained this way, instead of like hot-house plants.

re: Medaglia Magic

Alexandra Boyd — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 22:16:43 GMT

One of my favorite stallions. Love watching for his offspring. He also makes horses with such beautifal markings.

re: Medaglia Magic

smarie — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 23:52:14 GMT

I remember reading an interview with Bob Baffert. They were discussing the trainer's remarkable career and all the great horses he'd trained. When asked if there was a horse he'd really wanted in his barn but didn't get, Baffert answered, "Medaglia d'Oro."

I think horses who get unconventional training methods, whether it be small desert tracks or long rides through the countryside have an advantage over those who get the standard training on nothing but conventional racetrack surfaces and conditions.

Enjoyed this article very much!

re: Medaglia Magic

Karen in Texas — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 22:40:41 GMT

Medaglia d'Oro was one of my favorites while on the track, and his success at stud is a pleasure to follow. As I picture him galloping the ranges of Montana and Arizona, I can't help but think of our King Ranch thoroughbreds, Assault and Middleground. Maybe there is something to be gained by a "ranch life" regimen...

Thanks, Steve, for the retirement story on Star Guitar as well. He will be missed as a competitor in this south/southwestern region.

re: Medaglia Magic

Dr Drunkinbum — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 21:45:09 GMT

Medaglia never came in third. He was 4th in the Kentucky Derby, and 8th in the Preakness. Other than that he was first or second in every race. Eight firsts and seven seconds in seventeen races, all Grade One or Grade Two except for his first two races which were maiden. Humdinger of a racehorse and humdinger of a sire with plenty more to come. Gotta love those dapples. When you see Medaglia d'Oro in the pedigree you better pay attention. Humdinger of an article too need I say. Tough name to spell right everytime. I've spelled Medaglia wrong numerous times and will again I'm sure.

re: Medaglia Magic

kincsem — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 20:40:32 GMT

I agree, Wrensflight - kinda like the unconventional approach used in Seayyle Slew's early training by Paula Turner.A comment made by Doug O'neill after Know More won the Best Pal at Del Mar, was that the horse didn't need to race that much as a two year old, due to the new structure of qualifying for the KY Derby. Thank God!Maybe it's bt design or maybe it just is an unplanned blessing, but there is no real reason to push talented 2 year olds as in years past. hallelujah!

re: Medaglia Magic

edrul427 — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 20:04:41 GMT

Who would have imagine this young colt running in Montana and then in Arizona would become such a wonderful horse and champion racehorse and then champion stallion.WOW. Wonderful story Steve

re: Medaglia Magic

Paseana — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 19:25:59 GMT

Thanks, Steve, for this. Medaglia d'Oro was probably one of the most underappreciated horses EVER. Robinm is right....he was out of the exacta only twice in 17 career starts, and those two races were only the Kentucky Derby & Preakness!

I think that this underappreciation stems from the completely misguided perception out there that he was distance-challenged at greater than 9f. Poppycock!

True, he was only 1 for 6 at 10f or more, but that's only a small part of the story. 3 of those defeats were seconds behind horses that absolutely freaked, whether flukishly (Sarava & Volponi) or not (Candy Ride). The other two were against one of the best true 10f horses we've seen in the last 20 years or so, Pleasantly Perfect. And Medaglia d'Oro just might have won that BC Classic if the brilliant and extremely stubborn Congaree had stayed in the barn that day!

By the way, it needs to be remembered that, in the Pacific Classic, Medaglia d'Oro broke Del Mar's 10f track record....finishing second by open lengths to Candy Ride. Sure doesn't look to me like a horse that's distance-challenged! It also goes to show what an other-worldly race Candy Ride ran that day!

And one other thing. I lost my lifetime PPs on Medaglia d'Oro, but I seem to recall that he ran less than a triple-digit Beyer only twice, I think. Correct me if I'm wrong.

One the breeding front, it will be interesting to watch Medaglia d'Oro's yearlings this year as they move forward as 2 & 3yos. They are the product of his 2010 book of mares which exploded in quality in the wake of the exploits of Rachel Alexandra and all the other GSW fillies (mostly) of 2009.

As mentioned before, it's unlikely we'll ever see another Rachel Alexandra, but this should still be fun to watch!

Love that handsome boy! Thanks again Steve!

re: Medaglia Magic

Wrensflight — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:55:27 GMT

Perhaps more young horses should be trained by "riding out in the desert." They would probably be more fit both physically and mentally if they were given the opportunity to work over some real terrain and get out and about. Too many hothouse flowers out there these days.

Thanks again, Steve, for providing that inside peek into the personal history of a great horse.

re: Medaglia Magic

CHIEF PICAWINNA — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:53:29 GMT

In another few months after the Breeders Cup all the combatants(on this blog) will be back to argue their cases for the 2013 Kentucky Derby. Some will choose to make their picks this year and stick with them all the way thru to the race, tailoring their arguements, and making excuses for their picks.I will restate my idea that any 2yo derby prospects that were purchased solely for the Triple Crown, should only train this year, and not race until 2013 or even December 2012.The template I am using is Bafferts handling of Bodemeister this year.The training combined with the stress of racing does not suit the American racing colt of 2012-2013.The training if done properly like master 3yo trainer Bob Baffert will give the colt a better chance to peak in the Triple Crown and not be cranked for races too early in their 2yo year.Having written this their are not many owners who will pass on the lucrative 2yo races this year.Their are also not many trainers that can execute this plan.

re: Medaglia Magic

anita b — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 15:06:04 GMT

Hi Steve,

Great article. Like the fact that he grew up on a ranch in Montana first then Arizona.

And would like to read about Darley.

I was a little surprised that the filly hip#11--closely related to Rachel Alexandra didn't sell/meet reserve. She would have been one I would have liked to seen.

Enjoy Saratoga, Steve. Anita

re: Medaglia Magic

robinm — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 06:28:37 GMT

Steve; thank you for writing about this marvelous horse. I had never heard of his early life and training. He certainly traveled an unusual route to greatness. He was and is an absolutely beautiful physical specimen, and he ran to his looks. I can't remember a race where he didn't show up; in fact my recollection is that he was 1st or 2nd in all but a very few starts. In addition, he was sound and durable and we had the great pleasure of enjoying him on the track for 4 years, something we rarely see today if a horse has a top race record and bloodlines.

From all appearances thus far, he is as accomplished in the breeding shed as he was on the track. We may never see another Rachel Alexandra, but I look forward to seeing many more top runners by Medaglia d'Oro for years to come.

re: Medaglia Magic

JayJay — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 05:36:13 GMT

Nice article once again (you're probably tired of hearing that lol), I love the fact that the owners actually used a cowboy ranch, I bet Ral probably have fond memories of Medaglia D'Oro.

Steve : Any chance you'll do a story on Darley / Godolphin empire ? I'm thinking there's some great story there somewhere... with so much money, i bet their horses lives a better life than I do lol. Thanks.