But it was as a sire of sires where Valid Appeal has garnered a well deserved reputation. In 2001, Valid Expectations was the leading freshman sire by progeny earnings, and Valid Wager ranked seventh on the second-crop list. Others sons such as Seacliff and Mister Jolie also ranked in the top 45 on the second-crop list. Valid Appeal's other sons at stud include Kipper Kelly, sire of the ultra quick racer and popular millionaire Kelly Kip.As a racehorse, Valid Appeal won eight of 36 races, was a grade II winner, and earned $201,733. His dam, Desert Trial (by Moslem Chief), produced three other stakes winners, including champion Desert Vixen. Valid Appeal was pensioned in the fall of 1997.
Harry Mangurian's pensioned stallion Valid Appeal, whose male line remains vibrant through such young sons as Valid Expectations and Valid Wager, was euthanized Jan. 5 because of complications from the infirmities of old age. The 30-year-old homebred son of In Reality had stood at Mangurian's Mockingbird Farm near Ocala, Fla."Valid Appeal had lived his 30 years in near perfect health, but in the last few days began to fail rapidly," said Mark Casse, director of operations at Mockingbird. "It is ironic that Valid Appeal was the first horse to set foot on Mockingbird and the last to leave. Plans had been made with Eugene Melnyk, the new owner of Mockingbird, for Valid Appeal to live out his remaining years in his own paddock and stall. It is fitting that Valid Appeal was laid to rest in the Mockingbird/ Tartan Farm cemetery next to such greats as Dr. Fager and Dark Mirage."A homebred for Mangurian, Valid Appeal sired 86 stakes winners and the earners of $45 million. He topped the $2-million mark in year-end progeny earnings over 10 times, and his grade I winners consists of such stars as K. J.'s Appeal, Stormy But Valid, Mighty Appealing, Proud Appeal, and Southern Appeal. In 2000, his runners earned $3.1 million.