NEWS
Grade 1 winner Proud Accolade euthanized
Posted: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 5:52 PM
PROUD ACCOLADE
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
by Steve Bailey
Grade 1 winner and 2009 freshman sire Proud Accolade was euthanized at age seven on Tuesday at Bridlewood Farm in Ocala due to a severe neurological condition.
“He began to show some mild signs of neurological problems in recent weeks, but his condition deteriorated rapidly early Tuesday morning to the point that we were left with no other alternative,” said George Isaacs, general manager at Bridlewood. “It’s heartbreaking. A plan was in place for upcoming surgery to try to alleviate the problems.”
The Yes It’s True colt won three of his five starts as a two-year-old, including the 2004 Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park. At three, his only victory from five starts came in the 2005 Hutcheson Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
Following a third-place finish in the Dwyer Stakes (G2) that year at Belmont Park, Proud Accolade was retired by owner Satish Sanan, who stood the colt for two seasons before he moved to Bridlewood for the 2008 season.
“Having raced Proud Accolade and his sire, Yes It’s True, my family and I are deeply saddened by his passing,” Sanan said. “We had been so excited by his progeny and were looking forward to a successful future for Proud Accolade.”
Out of the Septieme Ciel mare Proud Ciel, Proud Accolade has 62 two-year-olds in his first crop this year. His first winner came on June 6, when first-time starter Mr. Green won a 4½-furlong maiden race by 4½ lengths at Calder Race Course.
“Proud Accolade was already getting off to a strong start,” Isaacs said. “He had an impressive first-out winner at Calder, and I’ve been hearing so many positive things about his offspring. He had become family and it’s been a tough day around here.”
Bred in Florida by Marion Montanari, Proud Accolade won four of ten starts and earned $476,620 during two seasons.
Steve Bailey is deputy news editor of THOROUGHBRED TIMES
