ACLAIM (15.3hh, 2013 Acclamation x Aris)
£12,500 (1st October SLF)
Unbeaten at two and rated the best ever three-year-old by Acclamation after victory in an especially classy renewal of the Gr.2 Challenge Stakes at Newmarket, Aclaim was even higher rated in 2017 as a four-year-old. His career culminated with convincing wins in the Gr.2 Park Stakes at Doncaster and his Chantilly triumph on Arc day in the Gr.1 Prix de la Forêt .
Aclaim won on his debut over six furlongs as a juvenile before taking major Class 2 handicaps over six furlongs and a mile at three. Seven furlongs emerged as his ideal trip after victory against older horses in the Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup at Newbury, his prep for defeating Gr.1 Cheveley Park winner Lumiere, and Gr.1 sprinter Tasleet in the Gr.2 Challenge Stakes in his final outing at three.
In 2017 a narrow second in the Gr.1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville presaged authoritative victories in the Gr.2 Park Stakes and Europe’s seven-furlong championship decider, the Gr.1 Forêt. Trainer Martyn Meade said, ‘Aclaim was a joy to have in the yard. He’s a handsome horse, and not just deeply talented but extremely genuine.’
Aclaim, a son of Dark Angel’s sire, Acclamation, is the first foal of Aris, a Stakes-placed juvenile who beat Gr.1 winner Gordon Lord Byron to break her maiden. Her half-sister, Again, won the Gr.1 Irish 1,000 Guineas, while Aclaim’s grandam is a half-sister to Arc hero and leading sire Montjeu. This is also the immediate family of Abbaye and King’s Stand winner Goldream and 2,000 Guineas winner Galileo Gold.
Aclaim, the best in the family short of a mile, retires rated 123 by Timeform. A figure superior to both Acclamation and to Dark Angel, and better than every horse either stallion has sired over seven furlongs or more.