'His progeny came up trumps every year' - Rathbarry ace Acclamation retired from stud duties aged 25

Acclamation, sire of 155 Flat stakes performers including seven Group 1 winners worldwide, has been retired from stallion duties at Rathbarry Stud.

The venerable son of Royal Applause has exceeded expectations throughout his career, both as a racehorse and a sire. He was a Group 2 and Listed winner for Gerald Cottrell, though some could argue that his best performances came in defeat. 

Even though he started at 16-1, he separated Choisir and Oasis Dream in the King’s Stand Stakes, despite breaking slowly and being denied a clear run a furlong from home. He stumbled at the start in the 2003 Nunthorpe, yet managed to finish third to the front-running Oasis Dream.

The talent he showed on the racecourse, he passed on to his progeny. 

His success in his second chapter was instantaneous, being crowned leading first-season sire due to his first crop producing Group 1 winners Dark Angel and Equiano, both of whom went on to sire top-flight winners themselves, and with the former set to be crowned champion sire for the 2024 season.

Ability, soundness and a will to win have seen Acclamation’s progeny deliver time and time again, their long and fruitful careers echoing that of their sire himself at stud. 

"Of stallions who continue to cover at the age of 25, how many will be responsible for two Group 1 winners that same year?" asked Rathbarry in revealing the news on Friday evening.

Even after his final crops have run their last race, Acclamation’s legacy is ensured by his sons and daughters at stud. 

Dark Angel and Mehmas are his current leading lights in the stallion ranks, while his daughters have produced two Group 1 winners, another six Group 1-placed horses and 18 successful at Group 2 and 3 level.

Rathbarry Stud’s owner Paul Cashman said: "Acclamation has been our flagbearer here at Rathbarry since 2004 and, with such a brilliant temperament, he has been a pleasure to deal with. 

“His progeny came up trumps every year, both on the racetrack and in the sales ring, bringing good fortune to all his investors. 

"We really regard him as one of the family, as does our stallion man, Clive Cox, who has done an amazing job caring for him."

Cashman added: "We hope he will have a long and healthy retirement here at the stud."

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