Storm Flag Flying (USA)
April 11, 2000 – January 22, 2016
Storm Cat (USA) x My Flag (USA), by Easy Goer (USA)
Family 6-a
April 11, 2000 – January 22, 2016
Storm Cat (USA) x My Flag (USA), by Easy Goer (USA)
Family 6-a
Storm Flag Flying completed a remarkable three-generation sequence for the Phipps family when she won the 2002 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (USA-G1), a race also won by her dam My Flag in 1995. The first generation of this family to win a Breeders' Cup race was the great Personal Ensign, who won the Breeders' Cup Distaff (USA-G1) in 1988 to conclude her unbeaten career. Also a Grade 1 winner at 4, Storm Flag Flying retired to the paddocks with high expectations for her broodmare career but proved a disappointment, although two of her daughters have produced graded stakes winners.
Race record
14 starts, 7 wins, 3 seconds, 3 thirds, US$1,951,828
2002:
2003:
2004:
Honors
Eclipse Award, American champion 2-year-old filly (2002)
Assessments
Highweighted among fillies at 123 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 2002, 2 pounds above second-rated Composure.
As an individual
A good-sized dark bay or brown mare, Storm Flag Flying had the strong body and powerful hindquarters typical of Storm Cat's offspring combined with the longer legs and scope of her dam My Flag. She could be temperamental and sometimes ran erratically when under pressure, though she could be very determined in a drive. She tended to resent the whip. She suffered a hairline fracture of a hind leg in June of her 3-year-old season but made a successful racing comeback.
As a producer
Storm Flag Flying produced eight named foals, of which seven started and three won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Storm Flag Flying was bred and owned by Phipps Stable. She raced in the colors of Ogden Mills Phipps. She was trained by Claude "Shug" McGaughey. She died after developing colic during foaling on January 22, 2016; her Candy Ride filly survived. Storm Flag Flying was buried at Claiborne Farm, where she had been boarded during her broodmare career.
Pedigree notes
Storm Flag Flying is inbred 5x5 to Native Dancer. She is a full sister to stakes-placed On Parade, dam of 2009 Dixie Stakes (USA-G2) winner Parading (by Pulpit) and second dam of Grade 3 winner Performer. She is also a half sister to stakes winner With Flying Colors (by A.P. Indy), dam of 2017 Monmouth Oaks (USA-G3) winner Teresa Z (by Smart Strike). In addition, she is a half sister to Sound of Trumpets (by Bernardini), dam of listed stakes winner Miles D. (by Curlin).
Storm Flag Flying is out of 1995 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (USA-G1) and 1996 Coaching Club American Oaks (USA-G1) winner My Flag, whose dam is 1988 American champion older female Personal Ensign. The 1996 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year, Personal Ensign is also the dam of 1993 Jockey Club Gold Cup (USA-G1) winner Miner's Mark (by Mr. Prospector), 2001 Oaklawn Handicap (USA-G1) winner Traditionally (by Mr. Prospector), and multiple Grade 1-placed Our Emblem (by Mr. Prospector), sire of 2002 American champion 3-year-old male War Emblem and a fairly successful sire in Brazil. In addition, Personal Ensign produced Pennant Champion (by Mr. Prospector), dam of Grade 3 winner Animal Spirits (by Arch) and second dam of Grade 2 winner Interactif and Grade 3 winners Auntie Joy, Ocho Ocho Ocho and Divine Oath. Another of Personal Ensign's daughters, stakes-placed Salute (by Unbridled) is the dam of 2014 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (USA-G1) winner Mr. Speaker (by Pulpit), 2021 Calvin Houghland Iroquois Stakes (NSA-G1) winner Snap Decision (by Hard Spun), and Grade 3 winners Fire Away (by War Front) and Vigilantes Way (by Medaglia d'Oro), while the great mare's daughter Possibility (by A.P. Indy) is the second dam of 2023 Woody Stephens Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun (USA-G1) winner Arabian Lion and Grade 2 winner Major Dude. Finally, Personal Ensign's daughter Title Seeker (by Monarchos) is the dam of Grade 3 winners Title Ready (by More Than Ready) and Seeking the Title (by Seeking the Gold); the latter is the dam of 2017 Clark Handicap (USA-G1) winner Seeking the Soul (by Perfect Soul).
Personal Ensign herself is a full sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Personal Flag and to Private Colors, dam of stakes winner Private Dreams (by Johannesburg) and second dam of Japanese Group 2 winner God of Chance. Personal Ensign's dam, Grecian Banner, is the 1988 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. A Hoist the Flag half sister to stakes winner Our Hero (by Bold Ruler), Grecian Banner is out of two-time Argentine champion filly Dorine (by Aristophanes).
Books and media
Footage of Storm Flag Flying's win in the 2002 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAUZt28R2V0.
Fun facts
Last updated: September 13, 2023
Race record
14 starts, 7 wins, 3 seconds, 3 thirds, US$1,951,828
2002:
- Won Long John Silver's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (USA-G1, 9FD, Arlington Park)
- Won Frizette Stakes (USA-G1, 8.5FD, Belmont)
- Won Matron Stakes (USA-G1, 8FD, Belmont)
2003:
- 2nd Comely Stakes (USA-G3, 8FD, Aqueduct)
2004:
- Won Personal Ensign Handicap (USA-G1, 10FD, Saratoga)
- Won Shuvee Handicap (USA-G2, 8FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Breeders' Cup Distaff (USA-G1, 9FD, Lone Star)
- 2nd Ogden Phipps Handicap (USA-G1, 8.5FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Beldame Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Go for Wand Handicap (USA-G1, 9FD, Saratoga)
- 3rd Distaff Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G2, 7FD, Aqueduct)
Honors
Eclipse Award, American champion 2-year-old filly (2002)
Assessments
Highweighted among fillies at 123 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 2002, 2 pounds above second-rated Composure.
As an individual
A good-sized dark bay or brown mare, Storm Flag Flying had the strong body and powerful hindquarters typical of Storm Cat's offspring combined with the longer legs and scope of her dam My Flag. She could be temperamental and sometimes ran erratically when under pressure, though she could be very determined in a drive. She tended to resent the whip. She suffered a hairline fracture of a hind leg in June of her 3-year-old season but made a successful racing comeback.
As a producer
Storm Flag Flying produced eight named foals, of which seven started and three won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Beat the Drums (2010, by Smart Strike) was unplaced in two starts. She is the dam of 2022 Suburban Stakes (USA-G2) winner Dynamic One (by Union Rags).
- Playtime (2012, by Street Cry) ran third twice in six starts. She is the dam of 2021 Appalachian Stakes (USA-G2) winner Jouster (by Noble Mission).
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Storm Flag Flying was bred and owned by Phipps Stable. She raced in the colors of Ogden Mills Phipps. She was trained by Claude "Shug" McGaughey. She died after developing colic during foaling on January 22, 2016; her Candy Ride filly survived. Storm Flag Flying was buried at Claiborne Farm, where she had been boarded during her broodmare career.
Pedigree notes
Storm Flag Flying is inbred 5x5 to Native Dancer. She is a full sister to stakes-placed On Parade, dam of 2009 Dixie Stakes (USA-G2) winner Parading (by Pulpit) and second dam of Grade 3 winner Performer. She is also a half sister to stakes winner With Flying Colors (by A.P. Indy), dam of 2017 Monmouth Oaks (USA-G3) winner Teresa Z (by Smart Strike). In addition, she is a half sister to Sound of Trumpets (by Bernardini), dam of listed stakes winner Miles D. (by Curlin).
Storm Flag Flying is out of 1995 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (USA-G1) and 1996 Coaching Club American Oaks (USA-G1) winner My Flag, whose dam is 1988 American champion older female Personal Ensign. The 1996 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year, Personal Ensign is also the dam of 1993 Jockey Club Gold Cup (USA-G1) winner Miner's Mark (by Mr. Prospector), 2001 Oaklawn Handicap (USA-G1) winner Traditionally (by Mr. Prospector), and multiple Grade 1-placed Our Emblem (by Mr. Prospector), sire of 2002 American champion 3-year-old male War Emblem and a fairly successful sire in Brazil. In addition, Personal Ensign produced Pennant Champion (by Mr. Prospector), dam of Grade 3 winner Animal Spirits (by Arch) and second dam of Grade 2 winner Interactif and Grade 3 winners Auntie Joy, Ocho Ocho Ocho and Divine Oath. Another of Personal Ensign's daughters, stakes-placed Salute (by Unbridled) is the dam of 2014 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (USA-G1) winner Mr. Speaker (by Pulpit), 2021 Calvin Houghland Iroquois Stakes (NSA-G1) winner Snap Decision (by Hard Spun), and Grade 3 winners Fire Away (by War Front) and Vigilantes Way (by Medaglia d'Oro), while the great mare's daughter Possibility (by A.P. Indy) is the second dam of 2023 Woody Stephens Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun (USA-G1) winner Arabian Lion and Grade 2 winner Major Dude. Finally, Personal Ensign's daughter Title Seeker (by Monarchos) is the dam of Grade 3 winners Title Ready (by More Than Ready) and Seeking the Title (by Seeking the Gold); the latter is the dam of 2017 Clark Handicap (USA-G1) winner Seeking the Soul (by Perfect Soul).
Personal Ensign herself is a full sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Personal Flag and to Private Colors, dam of stakes winner Private Dreams (by Johannesburg) and second dam of Japanese Group 2 winner God of Chance. Personal Ensign's dam, Grecian Banner, is the 1988 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. A Hoist the Flag half sister to stakes winner Our Hero (by Bold Ruler), Grecian Banner is out of two-time Argentine champion filly Dorine (by Aristophanes).
Books and media
Footage of Storm Flag Flying's win in the 2002 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAUZt28R2V0.
Fun facts
- Storm Flag Flying was a unanimous choice in Eclipse Award voting for the American champion 2-year-old filly of 2002.
- In a nice touch, the only Grade 1 race that Storm Flag Flying won after her 2-year-old season was the 2004 Personal Ensign Handicap, a race named for her granddam.
Last updated: September 13, 2023