Multiple Group 1 winner and sire Duke Of Marmalade (Ire) (Danehill–Love Me True, by Kingmambo) died in his paddock at Drakenstein Stud in South Africa on Friday. The 17-year-old had been pensioned in October.
“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Duke Of Marmalade,” Drakenstein Stud tweeted on Friday. “He died peacefully in his paddock this morning. He was a hero to many on the racetrack including ourselves, and a true gentleman at stud.
“His legacy will live on through his progeny to come and his already growing influence as a broodmare sire around the world. He will be sorely missed by all of us at Drakenstein Stud. He lived up to his title as a Duke in every way. RIP.”
Bred by Southern Bloodstock and raced by the Coolmore Partners, the bay showed ability at two when placed in the G2 Vintage S. Winless at three, he did place thrice at the highest table in the St. James's Palace S., the Irish Champion S. and Queen Elizabeth II S. At four the son of Love Me True dazzled with five consecutive Group 1 wins–the Prix Ganay, the Tattersalls Gold Cup, the Prince of Wales's S., the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. and finally the G1 Juddmonte International S.
Originally based at Coolmore Stud in Ireland from 2009 to 2013, the half-brother to G1 Derby hero Ruler of the World (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) moved to Drakenstein Stud in 2014. The bay sired a total of 46 black-type winners internationally, 26 at the group level. His best runners were a septet of Group 1 winners led by G1 St Leger winner Simple Verse (Ire), G1 Gold Cup hero Big Orange (GB), and G1 Prix de Diane heroine Star of Seville (GB).
As a broodmare sire, his daughters have foaled seven black-type winners with six group scorers in England, France and Italy. His grandson Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was runner-up in the G1 Irish Derby this year, and the filly Higher Truth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) ran third in the GI Belmont Oaks.
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