Owner-breeder Sam English, 80, dies
The Biz- December 2, 2025
Sam Earl English II, DDS, 80, an accomplished dentist and respected equestrian from Virginia, passed away on November 27, 2025. Known for his integrity, faith and quiet leadership, Dr. English a dental practice located throughout central Virginia.
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Dr. English graduated from VMI and the Medical College of Virginia and served honorably as a captain in the U.S. Army before returning home to build both his professional career and the family life he cherished.
His deep love of horses grew into English Racing Stables, a thriving racing and breeding business with farms in Goochland, Dinwiddie and Charles Town. According to Equibase, he scored his first wins as an owner in 2003, and over the next two decades his runners won 141 races and collected nearly $3.5 million in revenue.
Among his top runners was multi-stakes winner Chambeau, who captured the Tyson Gilpin Stakes at Colonial Downs in her debut and went on to earn $418,900. He also owned eight other six-figure earners.
Dr. English is survived by his daughters, Allison English Watkins and Stacey Elizabeth English; his grandchildren, Stan, Monty and Drew Watkins; and his siblings, along with extended family and many close friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the foundation Virginia Thoroughbred Project.
The family will receive friends at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Road, on Sunday, December 7 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. A funeral service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, December 8, at the Episcopal Church of the Creator, 7159 Mechanicsville Turnpike. Burial will follow in Signal Hill Memorial Park. For more information, his obituary is here.
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