World champion Royal Mattjesty, 23, dies

Chesapeake City, MD — Winbak Farm is sad to report the passing of world champion Royal Mattjesty p,2,1:50.3; 3,1:50.2s; 1:48.4 ($1,652,730). The 23-year-old passed away suddenly while enjoying a beautiful day in his pasture field on Nov. 4.

Royal Mattjesty died Nov. 4. Winbak Farm photo.

“We are deeply saddened over the loss of Royal Mattjesty,” said Jack Burke, General Manager. “He was a true champion on the racetrack and we were lucky to be able to stand him at stud at Winbak Farm of Canada and Winbak Farm of Delaware.”

Royal Mattjesty was a $210,000 yearling out of the Hall of Fame mare inductee Lady Hathaway. He was a full brother to O’Brien Award winner His Mattjesty p,2,1:52.1f; 3,1:51s ($1,038,861).

“We are proud to have been the owners of Royal Mattjesty. He was the complete package, with a phenomenal pedigree, success on the track, and outstanding looks,” said Joe Thomson, Winbak Farm owner. “We were proud to stand him in our stallion lineup and to raise and sell his offspring.”

As a racehorse, Royal Mattjesty was the first horse to ever take a sub-1:51 record at 2, 3, 4 and 5. He was the winner of 19 races and finished first, second or third in 57 races.

He was a world champion at 2. He set the 2-year-old world record winning a Bluegrass division in 1:50.3. He also won an International Stallion Stakes division and was second in a division in the Nassagaweya Stakes.

At 3, Royal Mattjesty won the Messenger Stakes elimination and New Jersey Sire Stakes leg. He was second in a Hoosier Cup elimination, James Dancer Memorial elimination, New Jersey Classic elimination and final, New Jersey Sire Stakes division, Oliver Wendell Holmes Stakes and Provincial Cup elimination.

At 4, he won a Willowdale Series leg. He was second in the Pacing Classic Stakes final and Willowdale Series final.

As an older horse, he won the Allerage Farm Stakes final, Battle of Lake Erie, Breeders Crown elimination, Magical Mike Stakes, Pacing Classic elimination, Spring Pacing Championship leg and War On The Shore FFA Invitational. He was second in the American-National Stakes, Breeders Crown final, Canadian Pacing Derby elimination and final, two Presidential Series legs and Spring Pacing Championship leg.

As a sire, Royal Mattjesty sired nine winners of $300,000-plus highlighted by Bay Girl p,3,1:50s ($576,130), Pointsman p,1:50.2f ($497,214), Uncle Goodfellow p,1:50.2s ($449,120), and Officernagentleman p,1:50.3f ($405,439).

“Royal Mattjesty’s final crop will be born in 2023,” said Burke. “We look forward to their arrival and hope they will be successful on the racetrack and carry on their sire’s legacy.”

Royal Mattjesty had also found success as a broodmare sire, including King Royalty p,1:51f ($362,676), Ollie’s Ztam p,3,1:49.4 ($334,543), Vintage Babe p,1:52.2f ($294,915), and Royaltywestho p,1:50.4 ($248,237).

“Winbak Farm is proud to have 12 Royal Mattjesty daughters in the broodmare band,” said Burke. “We hope that they will produce champions as great as their sire.”

Royal Mattjesty will be fondly remembered by the Winbak Farm team.

“Royal Mattjesty was a truly special horse,” said Thomson. “He will be missed.”

For information on Winbak Farm, please visit www.winbakfarm.com.

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