Sky Classic (CAN)
March 17, 1987 – April 30, 2015
Nijinsky II (CAN) x No Class (CAN), by Nodouble (USA)
Family 23-b
March 17, 1987 – April 30, 2015
Nijinsky II (CAN) x No Class (CAN), by Nodouble (USA)
Family 23-b
Arguably Nijinsky II's best North American-based son when both race record and stud record are taken into account, Sky Classic missed most of his 3-year-old season but amply proved his merit at 2, 4 and 5. A three-time Canadian champion in addition to his 1992 title as American champion turf male, Sky Classic proved a solid if sometimes underappreciated sire during a long career in Kentucky.
Race record
29 starts, 15 wins, 6 seconds, 1 third, US$3,320,398
1989:
1990:
1991:
1992:
Honors
Assessments
Highweighted at 127 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for juvenile males of 1989, 5 pounds above second-rated French King.
Rated at 118 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for turf runners of 1990, 13 pounds below champion With Approval.
Highweighted at 129 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for turf runners of 1991, 2 pounds above second-rated Izvestia.
Rated at 122 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American-raced turf males of 1991, 4 pounds below champion Tight Spot.
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1992, 1 pound above second-rated Fraise.
As an individual
A handsome, rangy chestnut with an excellent shoulder and strong hindquarters, Sky Classic had his hocks a little out behind him but was otherwise hard to fault. He stood 16.2 hands.
As a stallion
Sky Classic typically sired good-sized horses that were better with age and distance and often preferred turf. According to records kept by The Jockey Club, he sired 597 winners (64.5%) and 65 stakes winners (7.0%) from 926 named foals.
Notable progeny
Abraham Clasic (USA), Hyperbaric (USA), Magnetic Eyes (ARG), Miracle Painting (USA), Nothing to Lose (UCA), Sky Conqueror (CAN), Sur La Tete (USA), Texas Gal (USA), Thornfield (CAN)
Notable progeny of daughters
Advier (USA), Speciosa (IRE)
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Sky Classic was bred and owned by Sam-Son Farm. He was trained by Jim Day. He entered stud in Kentucky at Pin Oak Farm in 1993 and remained there throughout his stud career. He was pensioned in January 2015 and died of natural causes in his paddock on April 30, 2015.
Pedigree notes
Sky Classic is inbred 4x5 to two-time English champion sire Nearco and 5x5 to 1947 American champion sprinter Polynesian. He is one of six stakes winners and four champions produced by Sam-Son Farm's remarkable foundation mare No Class. No Class's other champions were 1984 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Classy 'n Smart (by Smarten), later a Canadian Broodmare of the Year whose produce included 1991 Canadian Horse of the Year and American champion 3-year-old filly Dance Smartly (by Danzig) and two-time American leading sire Smart Strike (by Mr. Prospector); 1985 Canadian champion 2-year-old male Grey Classic (by Grey Dawn II); and 1987 Canadian champion 2-year-old male Regal Classic (by Vice Regent). Also the dam of 1997 Early Times Turf Classic (USA-G1) winner Always a Classic (by Deputy Minister) and multiple stakes winner Classic Reign (by Vice Regent), No Class was the Canadian Broodmare of the Year for 1985.
No Class is a half sister to stakes winners Baraquillo (by Barachois; dam of multiple Australian stakes winner Chingquillo, by Bletchingly) and Money by Orleans (by L'Enjoleur). She is also a half sister to That's a Kennedy (by Kennedy Road), dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Storm on the Loose (by Lyphard) and second dam of Grade 3 winner Shrike, and to Written Word (by Vice Regent), dam of listed stakes winner Thesaurus (by With Approval).
No Class was produced from Classy Quillo (by 1962 Hopeful Stakes winner Outing Class), a full sister to Grade 3 winner Baccalaureate and a half sister to Canadian Classic winner Sharp-Eyed Quillo (by One-Eyed King) and to Canadian juvenile stakes winner Allquillo (by All Hands), dam of Canadian stakes winner Dianne's Lady (by His Majesty) and second dam of multiple stakes winner Market Player and of the hardy Clarinet King, who started 165 times and scored his only stakes win at the age of 10. Classy Quillo is also a half sister to Bonquill (by On-and-On), dam of multiple stakes winner Regal Quillo (by Vice Regent); to Just Plain Polly (by Truxton King), dam of multiple juvenile stakes winner Just Plain Smart (by Pirate's Bounty) and second dam of Australian Group 3 winner Just Polite; and to Quillummo (by Gummo), dam of 1995 Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1) and Canadian Oaks winner Gal in a Ruckus (by Bold Ruckus) and stakes winner Pirate's Quill (by Pirate's Bounty) and second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Habibti and 2004 New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (NZ-G1) winner Clean Sweep.
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photo portrait taken by Jessica Morgan at Pin Oak Stud in 2011. Used by permission.
Last updated: December 31, 2022
Race record
29 starts, 15 wins, 6 seconds, 1 third, US$3,320,398
1989:
- Won Grey Stakes (CAN-G3, 8.5FD, Woodbine)
- Won Summer Stakes (CAN-G3, 8FT, Woodbine)
- Won Cup and Saucer Stakes (CAN-R, 8.5FT, Woodbine)
- 2nd Clarendon Stakes (CAN-R, 5.5FD, Woodbine)
- 2nd Vandal Stakes (CAN-R, 6FD, Woodbine)
1990:
- 2nd Rothmans International Stakes (CAN-G1, 12FT, Woodbine)
1991:
- Won Rothmans Ltd. International Stakes (CAN-G1, 12FT, Woodbine; new course record 2:27-4/5)
- Won King Edward Gold Cup Handicap (CAN-G3, 8.5FT, Woodbine)
- Won Connaught Cup Stakes (CAN-R, 8.5FT, Woodbine)
- Won Seagram Cup Handicap (CAN-R, 10FT, Woodbine)
- Won Canadian Maturity (CAN-R, 10FT, Woodbine)
1992:
- Won Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Belmont; new course record 2:24-3/5)
- Won Arlington Handicap (USA-G2, 10FT, Arlington Park)
- Won Caesars International Handicap (USA-G2, 9.5FT, Atlantic City)
- Won Early Times Manhattan Handicap (USA-G2, 10FT, Belmont)
- Won Early Times Dixie Handicap (USA-G3, 9FT, Pimlico)
- 2nd Breeders' Cup Turf Stakes. (USA-G1, 12FT, Gulfstream Park)
- 2nd Arlington Million Stakes (USA-G1, 10FT, Arlington Park)
- 2nd Early Times Turf Classic Stakes (USA-G3, 9FT, Churchill Downs)
Honors
- Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 1998)
- Sovereign Award, Canadian champion 2-year-old male (1989)
- Sovereign Award, Canadian champion older male (1991)
- Sovereign Award, Canadian champion turf male (1991)
- Eclipse Award, American champion turf male (1992)
Assessments
Highweighted at 127 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for juvenile males of 1989, 5 pounds above second-rated French King.
Rated at 118 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for turf runners of 1990, 13 pounds below champion With Approval.
Highweighted at 129 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for turf runners of 1991, 2 pounds above second-rated Izvestia.
Rated at 122 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American-raced turf males of 1991, 4 pounds below champion Tight Spot.
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1992, 1 pound above second-rated Fraise.
As an individual
A handsome, rangy chestnut with an excellent shoulder and strong hindquarters, Sky Classic had his hocks a little out behind him but was otherwise hard to fault. He stood 16.2 hands.
As a stallion
Sky Classic typically sired good-sized horses that were better with age and distance and often preferred turf. According to records kept by The Jockey Club, he sired 597 winners (64.5%) and 65 stakes winners (7.0%) from 926 named foals.
Notable progeny
Abraham Clasic (USA), Hyperbaric (USA), Magnetic Eyes (ARG), Miracle Painting (USA), Nothing to Lose (UCA), Sky Conqueror (CAN), Sur La Tete (USA), Texas Gal (USA), Thornfield (CAN)
Notable progeny of daughters
Advier (USA), Speciosa (IRE)
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Sky Classic was bred and owned by Sam-Son Farm. He was trained by Jim Day. He entered stud in Kentucky at Pin Oak Farm in 1993 and remained there throughout his stud career. He was pensioned in January 2015 and died of natural causes in his paddock on April 30, 2015.
Pedigree notes
Sky Classic is inbred 4x5 to two-time English champion sire Nearco and 5x5 to 1947 American champion sprinter Polynesian. He is one of six stakes winners and four champions produced by Sam-Son Farm's remarkable foundation mare No Class. No Class's other champions were 1984 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Classy 'n Smart (by Smarten), later a Canadian Broodmare of the Year whose produce included 1991 Canadian Horse of the Year and American champion 3-year-old filly Dance Smartly (by Danzig) and two-time American leading sire Smart Strike (by Mr. Prospector); 1985 Canadian champion 2-year-old male Grey Classic (by Grey Dawn II); and 1987 Canadian champion 2-year-old male Regal Classic (by Vice Regent). Also the dam of 1997 Early Times Turf Classic (USA-G1) winner Always a Classic (by Deputy Minister) and multiple stakes winner Classic Reign (by Vice Regent), No Class was the Canadian Broodmare of the Year for 1985.
No Class is a half sister to stakes winners Baraquillo (by Barachois; dam of multiple Australian stakes winner Chingquillo, by Bletchingly) and Money by Orleans (by L'Enjoleur). She is also a half sister to That's a Kennedy (by Kennedy Road), dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Storm on the Loose (by Lyphard) and second dam of Grade 3 winner Shrike, and to Written Word (by Vice Regent), dam of listed stakes winner Thesaurus (by With Approval).
No Class was produced from Classy Quillo (by 1962 Hopeful Stakes winner Outing Class), a full sister to Grade 3 winner Baccalaureate and a half sister to Canadian Classic winner Sharp-Eyed Quillo (by One-Eyed King) and to Canadian juvenile stakes winner Allquillo (by All Hands), dam of Canadian stakes winner Dianne's Lady (by His Majesty) and second dam of multiple stakes winner Market Player and of the hardy Clarinet King, who started 165 times and scored his only stakes win at the age of 10. Classy Quillo is also a half sister to Bonquill (by On-and-On), dam of multiple stakes winner Regal Quillo (by Vice Regent); to Just Plain Polly (by Truxton King), dam of multiple juvenile stakes winner Just Plain Smart (by Pirate's Bounty) and second dam of Australian Group 3 winner Just Polite; and to Quillummo (by Gummo), dam of 1995 Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1) and Canadian Oaks winner Gal in a Ruckus (by Bold Ruckus) and stakes winner Pirate's Quill (by Pirate's Bounty) and second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Habibti and 2004 New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (NZ-G1) winner Clean Sweep.
Fun facts
- The Sky Classic Stakes was first run at Woodbine in 1995; the race had previously been run as the Jockey Club Cup Handicap. A Grade 2 event, it is currently carded at 11 furlongs on turf for horses aged 3 and up.
Photo credit
Photo portrait taken by Jessica Morgan at Pin Oak Stud in 2011. Used by permission.
Last updated: December 31, 2022