Sky Classic dies at age 28
May 1, 2015 9:27:26 GMT -5
Post by Evelyn on May 1, 2015 9:27:26 GMT -5
A classic horse. RIP
Sky Classic dies at age 28
Brisnet
Sky Classic (Nijinsky II), a four-time champion in the United States and Canada, died peacefully Thursday morning in his paddock at Josephine Abercrombie's Pin Oak Stud near Versailles, Kentucky, according to farm manager Clifford Barry.
The 28-year-old stallion had stood at the farm since his retirement from racing in 1992 and had been pensioned from stud duty in January of this year.
"Sky Classic's arrival at the farm remains fresh in my mind even after 23 years," Barry said. "Standing a stallion of his caliber started a very exciting chapter for Pin Oak, and his impact on our breeding program has proven immeasurable.
"We lost a champion today, and the most faithful of servants to the farm, but we are honored and grateful to Sam-Son Farm for entrusting him to us for all these years."
The chestnut, bred and raced by Ernie Samuel's Sam-Son Farm, earned an Eclipse Award as champion turf male in 1992 and Sovereign Awards as champion two-year-old, turf male and champion older male in Canada. In addition, he is a member of Canada's Racing Hall of Fame.
Sky Classic won 15 races, 13 of which were stakes and nine of those graded. He was runner-up by a nose to Fraise in the 1992 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), who he had previously defeated in the Turf Classic Invitational (G1), and set new course records in both the Rothmans International S. (Can-G1) and the aforementioned Turf Classic. Along the way he won or placed in 22 of 29 career starts and earned more than $3.3 million, which at that time was a record for a Canadian-bred colt.
Sky Classic, who is out of Canadian Hall of Fame mare No Class (Nodouble), retired to Pin Oak upon the conclusion of his racing career. He has sired six champions, 59 stakes winners, 10 Grade 1 winners, and a total of 106 stakes horses in 19 crops to race. Additionally, he is the sire of the dams of 43 stakes winners, including three champions, as well as English classic winner Speciosa and Grade 1 queen La Tia.
Sky Classic dies at age 28
Brisnet
Sky Classic (Nijinsky II), a four-time champion in the United States and Canada, died peacefully Thursday morning in his paddock at Josephine Abercrombie's Pin Oak Stud near Versailles, Kentucky, according to farm manager Clifford Barry.
The 28-year-old stallion had stood at the farm since his retirement from racing in 1992 and had been pensioned from stud duty in January of this year.
"Sky Classic's arrival at the farm remains fresh in my mind even after 23 years," Barry said. "Standing a stallion of his caliber started a very exciting chapter for Pin Oak, and his impact on our breeding program has proven immeasurable.
"We lost a champion today, and the most faithful of servants to the farm, but we are honored and grateful to Sam-Son Farm for entrusting him to us for all these years."
The chestnut, bred and raced by Ernie Samuel's Sam-Son Farm, earned an Eclipse Award as champion turf male in 1992 and Sovereign Awards as champion two-year-old, turf male and champion older male in Canada. In addition, he is a member of Canada's Racing Hall of Fame.
Sky Classic won 15 races, 13 of which were stakes and nine of those graded. He was runner-up by a nose to Fraise in the 1992 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), who he had previously defeated in the Turf Classic Invitational (G1), and set new course records in both the Rothmans International S. (Can-G1) and the aforementioned Turf Classic. Along the way he won or placed in 22 of 29 career starts and earned more than $3.3 million, which at that time was a record for a Canadian-bred colt.
Sky Classic, who is out of Canadian Hall of Fame mare No Class (Nodouble), retired to Pin Oak upon the conclusion of his racing career. He has sired six champions, 59 stakes winners, 10 Grade 1 winners, and a total of 106 stakes horses in 19 crops to race. Additionally, he is the sire of the dams of 43 stakes winners, including three champions, as well as English classic winner Speciosa and Grade 1 queen La Tia.