He may be one of the most significant New Zealand Stallions in the modern era of racing

Vice Regal, a remarkable NZ thoroughbred, achieved prominence both on the racetrack and as a breeding stallion. Introduced in 1976, this visually striking colt profoundly impacted the life and career of trainer Jim Campin and his family. Mr. Campin, in collaboration with Ewen Cameron, engaged in the racing and breeding of Vice Regal. Their partnership resulted in an impressive record of 21 victories for the horse before his retirement to Chequers Stud. Vice Regal demonstrated exceptional talent, versatility, and resilience as a racehorse, achieving notable success in both Australia and New Zealand. He was a Group One winner at two and three, was placed in a Cox Plate and won Group races in Australia at 1200m, 1400m, 1600m and 2700m. Overall he won or was placed in 43 of his 59 starts, earning more then $200,000 - a significant sum in that particular era of racing.

A son of Bismarck II, who stood at Chequers, Vice Regal was the second foal from the Great Northern Oaks winner, Kind Regards, who also left the Gr.1 Railway Handicap winner, Valencia. Vice Regal won 5 of his 8 starts as a two-year-old, capping off his juvenile campaign with a win in the Gr.1 Sires Produce Stakes at Ellerslie, subsequently defeating the NZ Derby winner, Silver Lad by more than 8 lengths. Vice Regal won five successive races as a three-year-old, including the Great Northern Guineas, the Wellington Guineas, culminating with a victory in the Gr.1 NZ 2000 Guineas at Riccarton. However, the South Island trip somewhat derailed his campaign, as he bolted on the training track two days later and did three rounds unabated at a good clip. The horse was below his best in his next two starts and Campin was forced to allow the horse a break before resuming in March.

During his Autumn campaign, Vice Regal showcased his potential when he achieved second place behind the great Grey Way in a renowned edition of the Easter Handicap. He went on to secure another second-place finish, this time behind Kiwi Can in the Japan Trophy. Subsequently, he was promoted to first place in the Gr.2 Avondale Stakes, marking his successful debut at a middle distance. At this point in the racing season, the majority of the Australian three-year-old feature races had already taken place. However, trainer Campin seized the opportunity to enter Vice Regal in the Group 3 South Australian St Leger, (2700m). Just eight days after winning at Avondale, Vice Regal coped with the travel and sharp step up in distance to comfortably defeat Yashmak, who would go on to win an Adelaide Cup.

Vice Regal campaigned in Melbourne as a spring four-year-old with considerable success. He recorded Group two wins in the Liston Stakes (1400m) and Feehan Stakes (1600m), was runner-up to Denise's Joy in the Gr.1 Underwood Stakes, and ran 3rd behind Family Of Man in the Gr.1 Cox Plate. He once again showcased his adaptability by achieving second place in the Linlithgow Stakes over a distance of 1400 metres, just 12 days following his participation in the Cox Plate event. Vice Regal competed in Victoria again during his five-year-old season. He won the Gr.2 Freeway Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley first up, followed by two Group placings before a hoof problem affected his form.

Vice Regal concluded his domestic autumn campaign with an impressive record of three victories, all at the black type level, and a commendable third-place finish in his final four starts. Vice Regal, upon retirement, became a successful stud stallion and achieved the distinction of being the leading first crop sire during the Australian 1982/83 season. Notably, his initial progeny included multiple Group One winners and a Group Two winner, all stemming from a relatively small group of just 31 individual starters. Of the 31 starters, all but one emerged victorious, collectively achieving 143 wins. In his second crop, there were 34 winners out of 39 runners, and his first three crops yielded 14 individual Stakes winners. Vice Regal's early stars included, Vite Cheval, Prolific, Eva Grace, Princess Dram, All Glory and Richebourg. Vite Cheval achieved notable victories as a young horse in both Australia and New Zealand. Subsequently, he went on to secure triumphs in prestigious races such as the Doncaster Handicap, All-Aged Stakes, Manikato Stakes, and Futurity Stakes. Prolific, from the first crop, won the AJC Derby, Regal Advice was a Group two juvenile winner in Australia and Eva Grace won the Avondale Cup. Consequently, Vice Regal became a highly successful sire, and in 1986-87 had the most significant representation of yearlings at the national sales. Later crops produced Group One winners such as Reganza and Sapio, but more significantly, he substantially enhanced the reputation of New Zealand-bred colts as stallion prospects.

In addition, Vice Regal, who passed away in 1997, distinguished himself as an exceptional broodmare sire, becoming the grandsire of 13 individual Group One winners. The Zabeel-Vice Regal cross was particularly potent, producing Melbourne Cup winner Jezabeel, NZ Derby winner, Hades, and G1 winners, Greene Street, Our Unicorn and Grand Echezeaux. Vice Regal was also the damsire of Domino, Flitter, Romanee Conti, Critic, Lovely Jubly and VRC Oaks winner, Kensington Palace. Lovely Jubly was a dual G1 winner and left champion sprinter Chautauqua - Grand Echezeaux left Darci Brahma and Burgundy and Romanee Conti is the dam of Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal. The legacy of Vice Regal is everlasting. Not only was he a champion racehorse, but he also produced future champions. His impact on the sport, both on and off the track, is undeniable, making him one of the most influential thoroughbreds in the history of New Zealand racing.

RACE RECORD - 59: 21 wins, 23 placings

EARNINGS - $200,000+

1976 Sires Produce Stakes

1976 Great Northern Guineas

1976 Wellington Guineas

1976 New Zealand 2000 Guineas

1977 Avondale Stakes

1977 South Australian St Leger

1977 Liston Stakes

1977 Feehan Stakes

1978 Freeway Stakes

1979 Hawkes Bay Challenge Stakes