Flat Top (USA)
March 1, 1993 – April 2012
Alleged (USA) x Lady of the Light (USA), by The Minstrel (CAN)
Family 4-m
March 1, 1993 – April 2012
Alleged (USA) x Lady of the Light (USA), by The Minstrel (CAN)
Family 4-m
Bred to go long on turf, Flat Top was so devoid of talent when tried in flat racing on dirt that he was not remotely competitive even at the US$10,000 maiden claiming level. Switched to jumps racing, he won his maiden effort by daylight and went on from there to become a two-time American champion. Following his retirement from racing, he served honorably as a stable pony and work companion for Janet Elliot’s steeplechase stable until his death from colic at the age of 19.
Race record
21 starts, 9 wins, 2 seconds, 3 thirds, US$592,306
1996:
1997:
1998:
2000:
2002:
Honors
Eclipse Award, American champion steeplechaser (1998, 2002)
As an individual
A powerful dark bay or brown gelding, Flat Top preferred to control his races from the front end. He overcame numerous physical problems during his career, including splints, tendon injuries, and damage to suspensory ligaments; because of his injuries, he was able to make only one start in 1999-2000. Sidelined until 2004 following his second Eclipse Award season, he was pulled up from his only race that year, an attempt at winning a third Breeders' Cup Steeplechase, and was retired. He was a "terrible stall walker" according to trainer Janet Elliott, who also described Flat Top as "the worst bleeder I ever trained." Adding to his issues, he was claustrophobic about being in a stall, especially if it lacked either a window or open access to being able to see other horses.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Flat Top was bred by Landon Knight. He was owned by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, who purchased Flat Top for US$20,000 from the 1994 Keeneland sales and put him in the barn of Niall O'Callaghan. After he ran unplaced in three starts on the flat, Flat Top was sold for US$5,000 to Timothy-N-Rye Stable and trained by Jeff Teter. He won his maiden effort over fences at the Virginia Fall Races near Middleburg, VA, and was then resold to Nancy Gerry, who transferred the gelding to trainer Janet Elliot. Following his retirement and the dispersal of Mrs. Gerry's stable, Elliot became Flat Top's new owner. The gelding served as Elliot's stable pony until he died from complications of colic in April 2012.
Pedigree notes
Flat Top is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to multiple Grade 3 winner Asema (by Theatrical). He is also a half brother to Twinkler (by Benny the Dip), dam of 2011 Philip H. Iselin Handicap (USA-G3) winner Where’s Sterling (by Northern Afleet), and to Katie McLain (by Java Gold), second dam of two-time Saudi Arabian champion older female Al Jabreiah.
Lady of the Light, the dam of Flat Top, is a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Sabin (by Lyphard), dam of stakes winners Al Sabin (by Alydar) and Sabina (by Cox’s Ridge), second dam of Grade 3 winner Luftikus, and third dam of 2012 Vanity Handicap (USA-G1) winner Love Theway Youare; Grade 2 winners Mr Freeze, Saint Anddan, Street Sounds, and Tower of Texas; and Grade/Group 3 winners Dilemma and Heavenly Ransom. Lady of the Light is also a half sister to 1985 Musidora Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Fatah Flare (by Alydar); to 2004 The Very One Handicap (USA-G3) winner Binya (by Royal Solo), second dam of 2017 Sword Dancer Stakes (USA-G1) winner Sadler’s Joy and Grade 2 winner Wolfie’s Dynaghost; and to Nadma (by Northern Dancer), second dam of 2015 New Zealand Stakes (NZ-G1) winner Sakhee’s Soldier.;
Lady of the Light and her siblings were produced from multiple French stakes winner Beaconaire (by Vaguely Noble), whose half sister Kittiwake (by Sea-Bird) won the 1973 Columbiana Handicap (USA-G2) winner and is the dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Miss Oceana (by Alydar), 1992 Prix Jean Prat (FR-G1) winner Kitwood (by Nureyev), 1983 Orchid Handicap (USA-G2) winner Larida (by Northern Dancer), and Group 1-placed stakes winner Ivory Wings (by Sir Ivor). Kittiwake is also the second dam of 1988 Coronation Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Magic of Life and is the third dam of Grade/Group 2 winners Enthused, Prince of Andros, and Surya.
Returning to Beaconaire, she is also a half sister to multiple Grade 3 winner Oilfield (by Hail to Reason) and to Blanche Du Bois (by Green Dancer), the second dam of 2003 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (USA-G1) winner Film Maker and multiple Argentine Group 3 Woodgreen. Produced from multiple stakes winner Ole Liz (by Double Jay), Beaconaire is also a half sister to Galexcel (by Exceller), second dam of Irish Group 3 winner Red Feather, and to Starkling (by Graustark), third dam of 2010 Triple Bend Handicap (USA-G1) winner E Z’s Gentleman.
Last updated: February 12, 2026
Race record
21 starts, 9 wins, 2 seconds, 3 thirds, US$592,306
1996:
- Won Raymond G. Woolfe Memorial Hurdle Stakes (NSA, @18.5FT, Camden)
1997:
- Won Arthur McCashin Supreme Hurdle (NSA-R, @18FT, Morven Park; new course record 4:19)
- 2nd AFLAC U.S. Championship Supreme Hurdle (NSA-R, @19FT, Pine Mountain)
1998:
- Won Breeders' Cup Grand National H. (NSA-G1, @21FT, Fair Hills)
- Won Colonial Cup (NSA-G1, @22FT, Camden)
- Won David L. "Zeke" Ferguson Memorial (NSA-G2, @18FT, Colonial Downs)
2000:
- Won Royal Chase for the Sport of Kings (NSA-G1, @20FT, Keeneland)
2002:
- Won Breeders' Cup Steeplechase (NSA-G1, 21FT, Fair Hills)
- Won Marion duPont Scott Colonial Cup (NSA-G1, 22FT, Camden)
- 3rd New York Turf Writers Cup Steeplechase H. (NSA-G1, @19FT, Saratoga)
- 3rd Royal Chase for the Sport of Kings (NSA-G1, @20FT, Keeneland)
- 3rd Iroquois Hurdle Stakes. (NSA-G1, @24FT, Percy Warner)
Honors
Eclipse Award, American champion steeplechaser (1998, 2002)
As an individual
A powerful dark bay or brown gelding, Flat Top preferred to control his races from the front end. He overcame numerous physical problems during his career, including splints, tendon injuries, and damage to suspensory ligaments; because of his injuries, he was able to make only one start in 1999-2000. Sidelined until 2004 following his second Eclipse Award season, he was pulled up from his only race that year, an attempt at winning a third Breeders' Cup Steeplechase, and was retired. He was a "terrible stall walker" according to trainer Janet Elliott, who also described Flat Top as "the worst bleeder I ever trained." Adding to his issues, he was claustrophobic about being in a stall, especially if it lacked either a window or open access to being able to see other horses.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Flat Top was bred by Landon Knight. He was owned by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, who purchased Flat Top for US$20,000 from the 1994 Keeneland sales and put him in the barn of Niall O'Callaghan. After he ran unplaced in three starts on the flat, Flat Top was sold for US$5,000 to Timothy-N-Rye Stable and trained by Jeff Teter. He won his maiden effort over fences at the Virginia Fall Races near Middleburg, VA, and was then resold to Nancy Gerry, who transferred the gelding to trainer Janet Elliot. Following his retirement and the dispersal of Mrs. Gerry's stable, Elliot became Flat Top's new owner. The gelding served as Elliot's stable pony until he died from complications of colic in April 2012.
Pedigree notes
Flat Top is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to multiple Grade 3 winner Asema (by Theatrical). He is also a half brother to Twinkler (by Benny the Dip), dam of 2011 Philip H. Iselin Handicap (USA-G3) winner Where’s Sterling (by Northern Afleet), and to Katie McLain (by Java Gold), second dam of two-time Saudi Arabian champion older female Al Jabreiah.
Lady of the Light, the dam of Flat Top, is a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Sabin (by Lyphard), dam of stakes winners Al Sabin (by Alydar) and Sabina (by Cox’s Ridge), second dam of Grade 3 winner Luftikus, and third dam of 2012 Vanity Handicap (USA-G1) winner Love Theway Youare; Grade 2 winners Mr Freeze, Saint Anddan, Street Sounds, and Tower of Texas; and Grade/Group 3 winners Dilemma and Heavenly Ransom. Lady of the Light is also a half sister to 1985 Musidora Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Fatah Flare (by Alydar); to 2004 The Very One Handicap (USA-G3) winner Binya (by Royal Solo), second dam of 2017 Sword Dancer Stakes (USA-G1) winner Sadler’s Joy and Grade 2 winner Wolfie’s Dynaghost; and to Nadma (by Northern Dancer), second dam of 2015 New Zealand Stakes (NZ-G1) winner Sakhee’s Soldier.;
Lady of the Light and her siblings were produced from multiple French stakes winner Beaconaire (by Vaguely Noble), whose half sister Kittiwake (by Sea-Bird) won the 1973 Columbiana Handicap (USA-G2) winner and is the dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Miss Oceana (by Alydar), 1992 Prix Jean Prat (FR-G1) winner Kitwood (by Nureyev), 1983 Orchid Handicap (USA-G2) winner Larida (by Northern Dancer), and Group 1-placed stakes winner Ivory Wings (by Sir Ivor). Kittiwake is also the second dam of 1988 Coronation Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Magic of Life and is the third dam of Grade/Group 2 winners Enthused, Prince of Andros, and Surya.
Returning to Beaconaire, she is also a half sister to multiple Grade 3 winner Oilfield (by Hail to Reason) and to Blanche Du Bois (by Green Dancer), the second dam of 2003 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (USA-G1) winner Film Maker and multiple Argentine Group 3 Woodgreen. Produced from multiple stakes winner Ole Liz (by Double Jay), Beaconaire is also a half sister to Galexcel (by Exceller), second dam of Irish Group 3 winner Red Feather, and to Starkling (by Graustark), third dam of 2010 Triple Bend Handicap (USA-G1) winner E Z’s Gentleman.
Last updated: February 12, 2026