MEDICEAN, the Eclipse and Lockinge Stakes winner and sire of ten Group 1 winners, has died suddenly from a suspected heart attack at the age of 21.
Bred and raced by Cheveley Park Stud and trained by Sir Michael Stoute, MEDICEAN won the Group 2 Celebration Mile as a three year old, but was not seen at his best until his 4 year old campaign. On his seasonal debut he won the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes, before taking the Group 2 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot carrying a Group 1 penalty. However, his finest hour came in the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes when coming out on top in a thrilling finish with Grandera and Bach. He retired from racing having won 6 of his 12 starts and over £540,000 in prize money.
MEDICEAN took up stallion duties at the place of his birth, Cheveley Park Stud, in 2002 at an initial fee of £15,000 and was unsurprisingly extremely well received by breeders. In his first crop he sired the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile and Coronation Stakes winner, Nannina, and finished as one of the leading first crop sires that year. His second crop provided the leading two year old and subsequent stallion, Dutch Art, who won the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes and Group 1 Prix Morny.
In addition to the aforementioned, MEDICEAN has sired the Group 1 winners Siyouma, Bayrir, Neatico, Capponi, Al Shemali and Alermerita. His progeny also enjoyed considerable success in the sales ring, with his yearlings making up to 500,000 guineas.
Cheveley Park Stud is at least fortunate that MEDICEAN leaves a lasting legacy to his success, in his son Dutch Art and grandson Garswood.
Managing Director, Chris Richardson, commented ‘From the day he was born, Medicean was the most wonderfully kind horse, with a spectacular walk. His win in the Eclipse was a highlight for owner breeders, Mr and Mrs Thompson, being one of their favourite races. His progeny have excelled at the highest level and I am sure his legacy will be influential for years to come’.
