Flightline (USA)
March 14, 2018 – Living
Tapit (USA) x Feathered (USA), by Indian Charlie (USA)
Family 20-b
March 14, 2018 – Living
Tapit (USA) x Feathered (USA), by Indian Charlie (USA)
Family 20-b
Flightline was brilliantly fast, tremendously talented, and gone far too soon from the racing scene. Unbeaten and untested in six starts, he racked up stratospheric speed figures and gave a breathtaking impression of his ability, yet left unanswered questions as to his soundness and durability.
Race record
6 starts, 6 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, US$4,514,800
2021:
2022:
Honors
Assessments
Rated at 124 pounds in the Sprint category on the 2021 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, 5 pounds below overall highweight Knicks Go (the 2021 American Horse of the Year) but best in the Sprint category.
Highweighted overall at 140 pounds on the 2022 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, 5 pounds above second-rated Baaeed (the 2022 European Horse of the Year); he earned his rating in the Intermediate category. The rating was the highest ever for a North American racehorse and tied two-time European Horse of the Year Frankel for the best rating ever given.
Following his Pacific Classic victory, Timeform awarded Flightline a rating of 143 pounds, the highest ever for an American runner.
As an individual
A strong, correct, well-made bay, Flightline was said to have a mind of his own while in training. He suffered several physical setbacks that prevented his racing at 2 and limited his campaigns at 3 and 4. At least some of his problems appear to have been related to his high-energy nature, which led to a penchant for acquiring injuries around the barn. Those who know him well describe him as highly intelligent and very alert to changes in his environment.
As a stallion
Flightline began his stud career in 2023 at Lane’s End Farm, Kentucky. His first foal, a filly out of the Grade 1-winning Liam's Map mare Juju's Map, was born on January 12, 2024.
Connections
Bred in Kentucky by Summer Wind Equine, Flightline was purchased for US$1 million from the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. He was owned by Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Woodford Racing. He was trained by John Sadler and was ridden by Flavien Prat throughout his career. Immediately following his retirement, a 2.5 percent interest in the horse was auctioned for US$4.6 million at the 2022 Keeneland November mixed sale. He is slated to enter stud in 2023 at Lane's End Farm, Kentucky.
Pedigree notes
Flightline is inbred 4x5x5 to two-time American champion sire Mr. Prospector. He is the second foal of 2015 Edgewood Stakes (USA-G3) winner Feathered, whose dam Receipt (by Dynaformer) was listed-placed during her own racing days.
Receipt, in turn, was produced from multiple Grade 1 winner Finder’s Fee (by Storm Cat), whose half brother Tax Ruling (by Dynaformer) is a multiple Grade 1 winner under National Steeplechase Association rules. Finder’s Fee is also a half sister to Freedom of Speech (by Danzig), dam of Grade 2 winner T. D. Vance (by Rahy); to Indy Pick (by A.P. Indy), dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Optimizer (by English Channel) and second dam of multiple Group 1 winner Junko and Grade 3 winner Cellist; and to Grand Gala (by Dixieland Band), second dam of Argentine Group 3 winner Doña True. In addition, Finder’s Fee is a half sister to Dream Time (by Storm Cat), dam of stakes winner Shadow Rock (by Distorted Humor).
Finder’s Fee and her siblings are out of 1990 Hempstead Handicap (USA-G1) winner Fantastic Find (by Mr. Prospector), a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Dancing Spree (by Nijinsky II). Produced from the Phipps family’s foundation mare Blitey, Fantastic Find is also a half sister to 1999 Ballerina Handicap (USA-G1) winner Furlough (by Easy Goer), dam of Grade 3 winner Happy Hunting (by Seeking the Gold) and stakes winner Pardon (by Elusive Quality) and second dam of Grade 2 winners Annual Review and Thoughtfully, and to 1988 Long Island Handicap (USA-G2) winner Dancing All Night (by Nijinsky II), second dam of 2017 United Nations Handicap (USA-G1) winner Bigger Picture. In addition, Fantastic Find is also a half sister to Oh What a Dance (by Nijinsky II), dam of 1994 American champion 3-year-old filly Heavenly Prize and 1998 Matron Stakes (USA-G1) winner Oh What a Windfall (both by Seeking the Gold) and second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Good Reward, 2008 Manhattan Handicap (USA-G1) winner Dancing Forever, and Grade 2 winner Pure Prize; the latter is a two-time champion sire in Argentina. Finally, Fantastic Find is a half sister to Loping Along (by Easy Goer), second dam of Grade 2 winner Quiet Temper, and to Home Leave (by Alydar), dam of multiple listed stakes winner Extend (by Unbridled’s Song) and second dam of 2004/2005 Chilean co-champion 3-year-old male We Can Seek, 2007/2008 Chilean co-champion 3-year-old filly Weekend Trip, and Grade 2 winner Warning Zone.
Books and media
A video of Flightline’s unprecedented romp in the 2022 Pacific Classic can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVtPCJ9BsKc.
Fun facts
Last updated: January 14, 2023
Race record
6 starts, 6 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, US$4,514,800
2021:
- Won RUNHAPPY Malibu Stakes (USA-G1, 7FD, Santa Anita)
2022:
- Won Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (USA-G1, 8FD, Belmont)
- Won TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (USA-G1, 10FD, Del Mar)
- Won Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (USA-G1, 10FD, Keeneland)
Honors
- Eclipse Award, American Horse of the Year (2022)
- Eclipse Award, American champion older male (2022)
Assessments
Rated at 124 pounds in the Sprint category on the 2021 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, 5 pounds below overall highweight Knicks Go (the 2021 American Horse of the Year) but best in the Sprint category.
Highweighted overall at 140 pounds on the 2022 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, 5 pounds above second-rated Baaeed (the 2022 European Horse of the Year); he earned his rating in the Intermediate category. The rating was the highest ever for a North American racehorse and tied two-time European Horse of the Year Frankel for the best rating ever given.
Following his Pacific Classic victory, Timeform awarded Flightline a rating of 143 pounds, the highest ever for an American runner.
As an individual
A strong, correct, well-made bay, Flightline was said to have a mind of his own while in training. He suffered several physical setbacks that prevented his racing at 2 and limited his campaigns at 3 and 4. At least some of his problems appear to have been related to his high-energy nature, which led to a penchant for acquiring injuries around the barn. Those who know him well describe him as highly intelligent and very alert to changes in his environment.
As a stallion
Flightline began his stud career in 2023 at Lane’s End Farm, Kentucky. His first foal, a filly out of the Grade 1-winning Liam's Map mare Juju's Map, was born on January 12, 2024.
Connections
Bred in Kentucky by Summer Wind Equine, Flightline was purchased for US$1 million from the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. He was owned by Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Woodford Racing. He was trained by John Sadler and was ridden by Flavien Prat throughout his career. Immediately following his retirement, a 2.5 percent interest in the horse was auctioned for US$4.6 million at the 2022 Keeneland November mixed sale. He is slated to enter stud in 2023 at Lane's End Farm, Kentucky.
Pedigree notes
Flightline is inbred 4x5x5 to two-time American champion sire Mr. Prospector. He is the second foal of 2015 Edgewood Stakes (USA-G3) winner Feathered, whose dam Receipt (by Dynaformer) was listed-placed during her own racing days.
Receipt, in turn, was produced from multiple Grade 1 winner Finder’s Fee (by Storm Cat), whose half brother Tax Ruling (by Dynaformer) is a multiple Grade 1 winner under National Steeplechase Association rules. Finder’s Fee is also a half sister to Freedom of Speech (by Danzig), dam of Grade 2 winner T. D. Vance (by Rahy); to Indy Pick (by A.P. Indy), dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Optimizer (by English Channel) and second dam of multiple Group 1 winner Junko and Grade 3 winner Cellist; and to Grand Gala (by Dixieland Band), second dam of Argentine Group 3 winner Doña True. In addition, Finder’s Fee is a half sister to Dream Time (by Storm Cat), dam of stakes winner Shadow Rock (by Distorted Humor).
Finder’s Fee and her siblings are out of 1990 Hempstead Handicap (USA-G1) winner Fantastic Find (by Mr. Prospector), a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Dancing Spree (by Nijinsky II). Produced from the Phipps family’s foundation mare Blitey, Fantastic Find is also a half sister to 1999 Ballerina Handicap (USA-G1) winner Furlough (by Easy Goer), dam of Grade 3 winner Happy Hunting (by Seeking the Gold) and stakes winner Pardon (by Elusive Quality) and second dam of Grade 2 winners Annual Review and Thoughtfully, and to 1988 Long Island Handicap (USA-G2) winner Dancing All Night (by Nijinsky II), second dam of 2017 United Nations Handicap (USA-G1) winner Bigger Picture. In addition, Fantastic Find is also a half sister to Oh What a Dance (by Nijinsky II), dam of 1994 American champion 3-year-old filly Heavenly Prize and 1998 Matron Stakes (USA-G1) winner Oh What a Windfall (both by Seeking the Gold) and second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Good Reward, 2008 Manhattan Handicap (USA-G1) winner Dancing Forever, and Grade 2 winner Pure Prize; the latter is a two-time champion sire in Argentina. Finally, Fantastic Find is a half sister to Loping Along (by Easy Goer), second dam of Grade 2 winner Quiet Temper, and to Home Leave (by Alydar), dam of multiple listed stakes winner Extend (by Unbridled’s Song) and second dam of 2004/2005 Chilean co-champion 3-year-old male We Can Seek, 2007/2008 Chilean co-champion 3-year-old filly Weekend Trip, and Grade 2 winner Warning Zone.
Books and media
A video of Flightline’s unprecedented romp in the 2022 Pacific Classic can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVtPCJ9BsKc.
Fun facts
- Flightline’s Beyer Speed Figure of 118 was the highest awarded for any North American runner racing on dirt in 2021. His Beyer Speed Figure of 126 for his Pacific Classic performance was the joint second-highest given to any American runner within the last 30 years. His Thoro-Graph figure for the same race was -8½, the fastest such figure ever recorded.
- Flightline’s average winning margin was 10.125 lengths. His margins of 19¼ lengths for the Pacific Classic Stakes and 8¼ lengths for the Breeders’ Cup Classic were records for those races.
- The late Queen Elizabeth II of England was so impressed by Flightline’s Pacific Classic romp that she personally called Lane’s End owner William S. Farish III just to talk about the horse, four days before her death at the age of 96.
- Flightline was the second horse to win American Horse of the Year honors on just three starts. The first was Native Dancer, who was voted the honors in 1954 after winning a six-furlong allowance race at Belmont, the Metropolitan Handicap, and the seven-furlong Oneonta Handicap at Saratoga.
Last updated: January 14, 2023