Hangin on a Star (CAN)
April 22, 1984 – c. 2006
Vice Regent (CAN) x Hangin Round (USA), by Stage Door Johnny (USA)
Family 14-b
April 22, 1984 – c. 2006
Vice Regent (CAN) x Hangin Round (USA), by Stage Door Johnny (USA)
Family 14-b
Hangin on a Star was not the equal of her champion half sister Rainbow Connection, but she was a multiple stakes winner and defeated colts in the third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the Breeders’ Stakes. She proved to be a good broodmare and is the dam and granddam of Canadian champions.
Race record
37 starts, 8 wins, 6 seconds, 5 thirds, US$449,373 (includes converted Canadian earnings)
1987:
1988:
1989:
Assessments
Rated at 120 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for 3-year-old fillies of 1987, 6 pounds below champion One from Heaven.
Rated at 114 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for turf runners of 1987, 12 pounds below champion Carotene.
Rated at 116 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for turf runners of 1989, 8 pounds below co-highweights Charlie Barley (the official divisional champion) and With Approval (the champion 3-year-old male and Horse of the Year).
As an individual
An attractive chestnut mare, Hangin on a Star stayed well. She was better over turf than dirt.
As a producer
Hangin Round produced 10 named foals, of which seven started and six were winners. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Hangin on a Star was bred by Mrs. George T. Coker. Sold for US$550,000 at the 1985 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga August yearling sale, she was owned by Sam-Son Farm. She was trained by James E. Day and was ridden to her win in the Breeders’ Stakes by Dave Penna. She produced her first eight foals for Sam-Son and was afterward sold to WinStar Farm for US$585,000 through the 2001 Keeneland November sale, covered by Unbridled. She was next sold privately to Racehorse Management LLC, which bred her last named foal, Sanibel Star. She disappears from the produce records after giving birth to a 2006 colt by Lion Heart; the colt was never named.
Pedigree notes
Hangin on a Star is inbred 5x4 to six-time English/Irish champion sire Hyperion, winner of the 1933 Derby Stakes and St. Leger Stakes. She is a full sister to Rainbow Two, second dam of multiple Grade 2 winner City to City. She is also a half sister to two-time Canadian champion race mare and 1994 Canadian Broodmare of the Year Rainbow Connection (by Halo), dam of three-time Canadian champion Rainbows for Life (by Lyphard; a successful sire in Central Europe), 1990 CIGA Prix de l’Opera (FR-G2) winner Colour Chart (by Mr. Prospector), and 1994 Cup and Saucer Stakes (CAN-R) winner Always a Rainbow (by Mr. Prospector); second dam of 2001 American champion 2-year-old filly Tempera, multiple Grade 1 winner White Heart, and multiple French Group 3 winner Equerry; and third dam of 2010 Saudi Arabian champion older female Caprivi. In addition, Hangin On a Star is a half sister to Archdeacon (by Dancing Champ), winner of the 1983 Prince of Wales Stakes (second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown) and to stakes winner Mr. Macho (by Ruritania).
Hangin on a Star and her siblings are out of 1980 Canadian Broodmare of the Year Hangin Round, a half sister to the minor stakes winner New Pride (by Julmar), in turn the dam of stakes winner Baldski’s Pride (by Baldski). Hangin Round is also a half sister to All Puffed Up (by Dynastic), dam of the minor stakes winner Dyna Surge (by Plastic Surgeon).
Hangin Round and her siblings are out of Auburn’s Pride, a daughter of 1954 English champion older male Aureole (by Hyperion) and 1957 Sandown Park Stud Produce Stakes winner Patroness (by 1946 Prix du Jockey Club/French Derby winner and 1960 French champion sire Prince Chevalier). Produced from stakes-placed Verdura (by Court Martial), Patroness is a half sister to 1956 Queen Mary Stakes winner Pharsalia (by Panorama), dam of 1963 Princess Margaret Stakes winner High Powered (by Hugh Lupus) and 1970 Chesterfield Cup winner Hearken (by Hethersett) and second dam of Italian Group 3 winner Coltinger; to 1957 Nunthorpe Stakes winner Gratitude (by Golden Cloud); to 1961 Cesarewitch Stakes winner Avon’s Pride (by Arctic Prince); to 1968 Greenham Stakes winner Heathen (by Hethersett; a two-time champion sire in Uruguay); and to 1970 Prix Vermeille winner Highest Hopes (by Heathersett), dam of 1995 Made in Europe Val Des Pres Trophy (GER-G2) winner Hushang (by Shernazar) and second dam of 2004 American champion steeplechaser Hirapour. In addition, Patroness is a half sister to Pampas Flower (by Pampered King II), dam of 1980 Ladbroke Nell Gwyn Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Evita (by Reform).
Last updated: September 30, 2026
Race record
37 starts, 8 wins, 6 seconds, 5 thirds, US$449,373 (includes converted Canadian earnings)
1987:
- Won Breeders' Stakes (CAN-R, 12FT, Woodbine)
- Won La Prevoyante Stakes (CAN-R, 8FT, Woodbine)
- 2nd Prince of Wales Stakes (CAN-R, 12FT, Fort Erie)
- 2nd Wonder Where Stakes (CAN-R, 10FT, Woodbine)
- 2nd Lady Angela Stakes (CAN-R, 7FD, Woodbine)
- 3rd Canadian Oaks (CAN-R, 9FD, Woodbine)
- 3rd Semi-Final Stakes (CAN, 9FD, Woodbine)
1988:
- 3rd Vineland Handicap (USA-G3, 11FT, Garden State)
- 3rd Gallorette Handicap (USA-G3, 8.5FT, Pimlico)
1989:
- Won Canadian Handicap (first division) (CAN, 8.5FT, Woodbine)
- 3rd Victoriana Stakes (CAN-R, 8.5FT, Woodbine)
Assessments
Rated at 120 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for 3-year-old fillies of 1987, 6 pounds below champion One from Heaven.
Rated at 114 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for turf runners of 1987, 12 pounds below champion Carotene.
Rated at 116 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for turf runners of 1989, 8 pounds below co-highweights Charlie Barley (the official divisional champion) and With Approval (the champion 3-year-old male and Horse of the Year).
As an individual
An attractive chestnut mare, Hangin on a Star stayed well. She was better over turf than dirt.
As a producer
Hangin Round produced 10 named foals, of which seven started and six were winners. Her important foals are as follow:
- Comet Shine (1991, by Fappiano) was the Canadian champion 2-year-old male of 1993. A stud failure, he sired four stakes winners from 312 named foals of racing age.
- Starboard Tack (1992, by Seattle Slew) never raced but is the dam of 1999 Derby Trial Stakes (USA-G3) winner Patience Game (by Woodman) and stakes winner Star Queen (by Kingmambo). She is the second dam of Grade 2 winner Time to Dazzle and the third dam of multiple South African Group 3 winner African Night Sky.
- Gold in My Stars (1996, by Forty Niner) never raced but is the dam of stakes winner Kimmyv (by El Corredor)
- Misty Mission (1997, by Miswaki) won the 2000 Wonder Where Stakes, the third leg of Canada’s Triple Tiara series for 3-year-old fillies. The 2012 Canadian Broodmare of the Year, she is the dam of two-time Canadian champion Irish Mission (by Giant’s Causeway), two-time Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap (USA-G3) winner French Beret (by Broad Brush), and stakes winner Mythical Mission (by Giant’s Causeway). Misty Mission is also the second dam of Grade 2 winner Mission of Joy.
- Sanibel Star (2004, by Unbridled’s Song) won one of her 13 starts. She is the dam of restricted stakes winner Star Contender (by Henny Hughes) and the second dam of 2026 Goodwood Stakes (USA-G1) winner Forged Steel.
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Hangin on a Star was bred by Mrs. George T. Coker. Sold for US$550,000 at the 1985 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga August yearling sale, she was owned by Sam-Son Farm. She was trained by James E. Day and was ridden to her win in the Breeders’ Stakes by Dave Penna. She produced her first eight foals for Sam-Son and was afterward sold to WinStar Farm for US$585,000 through the 2001 Keeneland November sale, covered by Unbridled. She was next sold privately to Racehorse Management LLC, which bred her last named foal, Sanibel Star. She disappears from the produce records after giving birth to a 2006 colt by Lion Heart; the colt was never named.
Pedigree notes
Hangin on a Star is inbred 5x4 to six-time English/Irish champion sire Hyperion, winner of the 1933 Derby Stakes and St. Leger Stakes. She is a full sister to Rainbow Two, second dam of multiple Grade 2 winner City to City. She is also a half sister to two-time Canadian champion race mare and 1994 Canadian Broodmare of the Year Rainbow Connection (by Halo), dam of three-time Canadian champion Rainbows for Life (by Lyphard; a successful sire in Central Europe), 1990 CIGA Prix de l’Opera (FR-G2) winner Colour Chart (by Mr. Prospector), and 1994 Cup and Saucer Stakes (CAN-R) winner Always a Rainbow (by Mr. Prospector); second dam of 2001 American champion 2-year-old filly Tempera, multiple Grade 1 winner White Heart, and multiple French Group 3 winner Equerry; and third dam of 2010 Saudi Arabian champion older female Caprivi. In addition, Hangin On a Star is a half sister to Archdeacon (by Dancing Champ), winner of the 1983 Prince of Wales Stakes (second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown) and to stakes winner Mr. Macho (by Ruritania).
Hangin on a Star and her siblings are out of 1980 Canadian Broodmare of the Year Hangin Round, a half sister to the minor stakes winner New Pride (by Julmar), in turn the dam of stakes winner Baldski’s Pride (by Baldski). Hangin Round is also a half sister to All Puffed Up (by Dynastic), dam of the minor stakes winner Dyna Surge (by Plastic Surgeon).
Hangin Round and her siblings are out of Auburn’s Pride, a daughter of 1954 English champion older male Aureole (by Hyperion) and 1957 Sandown Park Stud Produce Stakes winner Patroness (by 1946 Prix du Jockey Club/French Derby winner and 1960 French champion sire Prince Chevalier). Produced from stakes-placed Verdura (by Court Martial), Patroness is a half sister to 1956 Queen Mary Stakes winner Pharsalia (by Panorama), dam of 1963 Princess Margaret Stakes winner High Powered (by Hugh Lupus) and 1970 Chesterfield Cup winner Hearken (by Hethersett) and second dam of Italian Group 3 winner Coltinger; to 1957 Nunthorpe Stakes winner Gratitude (by Golden Cloud); to 1961 Cesarewitch Stakes winner Avon’s Pride (by Arctic Prince); to 1968 Greenham Stakes winner Heathen (by Hethersett; a two-time champion sire in Uruguay); and to 1970 Prix Vermeille winner Highest Hopes (by Heathersett), dam of 1995 Made in Europe Val Des Pres Trophy (GER-G2) winner Hushang (by Shernazar) and second dam of 2004 American champion steeplechaser Hirapour. In addition, Patroness is a half sister to Pampas Flower (by Pampered King II), dam of 1980 Ladbroke Nell Gwyn Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Evita (by Reform).
Last updated: September 30, 2026