Regal Classic, a Canadian Thoroughbred racehorse, was born on March 28, 1985, and passed away on April 5, 2012. Throughout his career, he achieved remarkable success, particularly during his two-year-old season in 1987, when he was honoured with the Sovereign Award for Champion 2-Year-Old Colt. His victories that year included the Summer Stakes, Cup and Saucer, Grey Stakes, and Coronation Futurity. He also earned a notable second-place finish in the prestigious Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
Throughout his career, Regal Classic made 27 starts, achieving 8 wins, 8 second-place finishes, and 3 third-place finishes, with total earnings of $1,456,584. He was a chestnut stallion standing 16.1½ hands tall, and his legacy continues through his progeny in various equestrian disciplines. His influence as a racehorse and sire remains an important part of Canadian horse racing history.
Early Life and Background
Regal Classic was bred by Sam-Son Farm, a leading Canadian breeding operation. He was sired by the prolific stallion Vice Regent and out of the influential broodmare No Class, making him part of a distinguished lineage that included multiple champions such as Classy 'n' Smart, Grey Classic, and Sky Classic. Regal Classic was raced in partnership with Windfields Farm, owned by Vice Regent's proprietor.
Champion Two-Year-Old Season
As a two-year-old, Regal Classic was trained by Jim Day, an Olympic equestrian Gold Medalist and Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee. He proved dominant in his age group, winning several major stakes races. His campaign culminated in the 1987 Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Hollywood Park, where, after being held back early in the race, he mounted a strong late challenge. Under jockey Dave Penna, he surged forward on the inside rail, overtaking the race favourite Tejano, to finish a commendable second behind Success Express. This stellar performance earned him the Sovereign Award as Canada’s top two-year-old colt.
Three-Year-Old Campaign (1988)
In 1988, Regal Classic continued to show his prowess on the racetrack, despite facing stiff competition from another Sam-Son Farm colt, Regal Intention, who was also sired by Vice Regent. Regal Classic defeated him in the Prince of Wales Stakes and the Marine Stakes, reaffirming his abilities. Earlier in the year, Regal Classic had ventured south to compete in the American Triple Crown series, where he finished third in the Blue Grass Stakes, fifth in the Kentucky Derby, and sixth in the Preakness Stakes.
Returning to Canada, he participated in the Canadian Triple Crown, where he won the Plate Trial Stakes but was narrowly beaten by Regal Intention in the Queen’s Plate. However, Regal Classic triumphed in the Prince of Wales Stakes, reversing the outcome against his rival. Later that year, he finished second to Ballindaggin in the Molson Export Challenge Stakes.
Four-Year-Old Season (1989)
Regal Classic returned to racing at age four, with his most significant victory coming in the Eclipse Handicap at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. He also placed second in the Ben Ali Handicap at Keeneland in Kentucky. Despite these commendable performances, his career began to wind down as he transitioned from the racetrack to breeding duties.
Stud Career and Legacy
Upon retiring from racing, Regal Classic embarked on a successful career as a sire. Among his notable offspring were stakes winners such as Inish Glora, One Way Love, Classic Stamp, and Canadian Classic winners Regal Discovery and Stephanotis. He also sired Regal Roller, a millionaire runner in Australia. After standing at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in New York for several years, he was pensioned in 2007.
Death (2012)
In early April 2012, Regal Classic began showing signs of colic, prompting an emergency veterinary examination. The vet discovered a large pulsing mass in his rectal area, accompanied by internal bleeding. Given his advanced age and the severity of the condition, it was determined that he could not be saved, and he was humanely euthanised on April 5, 2012, to prevent further suffering.