Acclamation, sire of 155 flat stakes performers, including seven group 1 winners worldwide, has died at age 25, only a few weeks after being officially retired from stallion duties at Rathbarry Stud.
Notification of his death came from the County Cork farm he called home for two decades, with Rathbarry saying on social media Dec. 2: "It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Acclamation this weekend.
"He leaves behind a legacy as a true legend of the Irish stallion ranks. He will be deeply missed by all at Rathbarry Stud but never forgotten."
The venerable son of Royal Applause exceeded expectations throughout his career, both as a racehorse and 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 standout sprinters Choisir and Oasis Dream in the 2003 King's Stand Stakes (G2) despite breaking slowly and being denied a clear run a furlong from home. He stumbled at the start in that year's Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) yet managed to finish third to the front-running Oasis Dream. He finally broke through at the group level two starts later in the Diadem Stakes (G2) at Ascot, defeating Polar Way by three-quarters of a length.
The talent he showed on the racecourse was something he was able to pass on to his progeny.
His success in his second chapter was instantaneous, being crowned leading first-season sire thanks to his first crop's group 1 winners Dark Angel and Equiano, both of whom went on to sire top-flight winners themselves, and with Dark Angel 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 late sire at stud. 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 the late 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 who have been successful at group 2 and 3 level.
