Grade 1 Winner, Former Stallion Forbidden Apple Dies
Grade 1 winner and former stallion Forbidden Apple has died at age 30, according to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Over the last 12 years, Forbidden Apple spent his retirement alongside other former racehorses under the care of TRF Second Chances at Lowell in Ocala.
“He was a farm favorite, spoiled and adored,” the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation posted on X. “He passed just after turning 30. Run free, Apple.”
A son of 1981 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1) winner Pleasant Colony, Forbidden Apple was a successful homebred for owner Arthur Appleton. Racing from 1998-2003, Forbidden Apple recorded eight wins in 31 starts under the direction of trainer Christophe Clement, most notably taking the $400,000 Manhattan Handicap (G1T) at Belmont Park in the summer of 2001.
Forbidden Apple raced in three consecutive editions of the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), running seventh in 2000, second in 2001, and fourth in 2002. Forbidden Apple continued to race until early 2003, notching his final win in October 2001 in the Kelso Handicap (G2T) at Belmont Park.
After being retired from racing with earnings of more than $1.6 million, Forbidden Apple went to stud at Bridlewood Farm, then owned by Appleton. Forbidden Apple sired graded stakes winner Worstcasescenario and stakes winner Forbidden Bear .
From 2012-22, the New York Racing Association held a grass stakes named in Forbidden Apple’s honor.
