Cheveley Park Stud’s Medicean has died suddenly at the age of 21 after a suspected heart attack.

The son of Machiavellian, who was pensioned from stud duties at the Newmarket nursery last year, was a homebred for Patricia and David Thompson who excelled in his four-year-old season for trainer Sir Michael Stoute.

Unraced as a juvenile, Medicean quickly made up into a smart three-year-old, winning three races, including the Group 2 Celebration Mile, and finishing third to Giant’s Causeway in both the St James’s Palace Stakes and Sussex Stakes.

From the archives: The red, white and blue silks of Cheveley Park Stud could hardly be a better symbol of British-bred success

Victorious in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes on his seasonal reappearance at four, that breakthrough propelled him to further success in the Group 2 Queen Anne Stakes and the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes.

Medicean retired to stud in 2002 as the winner of six races and took up stallion duties at Cheveley Park at an opening fee of £15,000.

Medicean was the most wonderfully kind horse, with a spectacular walk

From his first crop he supplied Group 1 Fillies’ Mile and Coronation Stakes heroine Nannina, while his second crop contained Group 1 Middle Park Stakes hero Dutch Art, who joined his father on the Cheveley roster when he retired from racing.

Other top-level winners sired by Medicean include Siyouma, Bayrir, Neatico, Capponi, Al Shemali and Almerita.

The legacy of Medicean will continue to live on at Cheveley Park Stud through his son Dutch Art and grandson Garswood, whose first crop are two-year-olds in 2018 and includes Group 3 scorer Little Kim.

View the Leading First-Season Sires in Britain and Ireland

Chris Richardson, Managing Director of Cheveley Park Stud, said: “From the day he was born, Medicean was the most wonderfully kind horse, with a spectacular walk.

“His win in the Eclipse was a highlight for his owner-breeders, Mr and Mrs Thompson, being one of their favourite races. His progeny have excelled at the highest level and I am sure his legacy will be influential for years to come.”