1982 stallion, Skywalker, was foaled in Kentucky at Stone Farm. He was bred by Oak Cliff Thoroughbreds and owned by Oak Cliff Stable (Thomas Tathan and partners). Given his name by Tom Tathan’s son, Skywalker was named for Luke Skywalker, the hero of the first three releases of the Star Wars movie franchise. He was trained by Michael Whittingham and was ridden to his Breeders’ Cup Classic win by Laffit Pincay Jr. Skywalker was a handsome, muscular dark bay/brown horse standing 16 hands, Skywalker was described by Arthur Hancock III (the owner of Stone Farm) as “a grand individual” but was perhaps slightly heavy-bodied for his underpinnings, he had a good shoulder, powerful hindquarters, and excellent overall balance. He tended to resent the whip, though he could be roused by a touch of it when caught loafing or waiting for other horses. He could prompt the pace or come from off it but did not like racing inside horses. He missed the remainder of his 3-year-old season after fracturing his left fore cannon bone while running 6th in the 1985 Kentucky Derby (G1). He was a bleeder and raced on lasix. Skywalker had his share of problems due to misfortune and physical issues, but he also had considerable talent. That talent was on full display in the 1986 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), when the colt grabbed a solid lead in the upper stretch and had enough left in the tank to stave off a challenge from Precisionist and the late run of Turkoman. In his career, Skywalker made 20 starts, with 8 wins, 3 seconds, 3 thirds. He earned a total of $2,226,750. In 1985 he won the Santa Anita Derby (G1). In 1986 he won the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), Longacres Mile Handicap (USA-G2), Mervyn LeRoy Handicap (G2), and the San Diego Handicap (G3). 

Skywalker entered stud in 1988 at Cardiff Stock Farm in California. His offspring have brought in over $30 million in earnings. He stood at Stone Farm in Kentucky beginning in 1996. Skywalker died there of a heart attack in February 2003 and was buried at Stone Farm.