Cavalcade (NJ)

Biography

Bred in New Jersey by F. Wallis Armstrong, Cavalcade raced for Isabel Dodge Sloane’s Brookmeade Stable after being purchased for $1,200 at the 1932 Saratoga yearling sales upon the advice of Hall of Fame trainer Robert A. Smith.

Cavalcade was sired by the English stallion Lancegaye, winner of the Hardwicke Stakes and runner-up in the Epsom Derby. Cavalcade’s dam, Hastily, was sold in foal to Lancegaye at Newmarket in December 1930 and exported to Meadow View Farm in Morristown, New Jersey, where she gave birth the following spring.

Cavalcade showed some promise as a 2-year-old, winning the Hyde Stakes in July 1933 at odds of 90-1. Cavalcade also finished second in the Sanford Stakes and Eastern Shore Handicap that year and compiled a record of 2-3-3 and earnings of $15,730 in 11 starts.

As a 3-year-old, Cavalcade came into his own, winning the Kentucky Derby, American Derby, Arlington Classic, Chesapeake Stakes (setting a stakes record), and Detroit Derby (setting a track record). He also finished second in the Preakness Stakes.

In his Chesapeake, Kentucky Derby, American Derby, and Arlington Classic wins, Cavalcade defeated Hall of Famer Discovery each time. In the Arlington Classic, Cavalcade rallied from last to win by four lengths, prompting Hall of Fame jockey Mack Garner to describe his mount as “the gamest horse I have ever ridden.”

Cavalcade was regarded as Horse of the Year and Champion 3-Year-Old Male in 1934, posting a record of 6-1-0 and earnings of $111,235 from seven starts.

Cavalcade raced twice in both 1935 and 1936 without a win. He became increasingly resistant to training and was retired with a career record of 8-5-3 and earnings of $127,165 from 22 starts. He died in 1940.

Achievements

Horse of the Year — 1934
Champion 3-Year-Old Male — 1934

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the Kentucky Derby — 1934