With the sun beginning to set at 5:40 PM on Saturday, November 5, only the marquee race of Breeder’s Cup Weekend had yet to be run. As the eight runners were loaded into the starting gate for the $6,000,000 Breeder’s Cup Classic, all 46,000 fans on hand we’re hoping to see something special. And see something special they did. Anticipation had been running high since the field was announced as every entrant had won at least one Grade 1 race and some had won more than one.
Flightline leaving the saddling area
Trainer John Sadler and Jockey Flavien Prat
As expected, Life is Good quickly rocketed from the starting gate and immediately opened up three lengths on Flightline and nine lengths on the other competitors. As the field blazed through an opening quarter mile in 22.55 seconds, a half in 45.47 seconds and 6F (3/4’s of a mile) in 1 minute 9.27 seconds, Flavien Prat (Flightline’s jockey) peaked over his shoulder to see if anyone was making a move from behind him. When it became clear it was a two horse race, Prat began to move with Flightline. Life is Good’s three length lead became two, two lengths became one and then they were even. At that point, it was a question of how many lengths Flightline would win by, not whether he would win. Flightline’s winning margin was 8 1/4 lengths in 2 minutes (2:00:05). Including the Classic win, Flightline won all six of his races by a combined 71 lengths.
Race View from Flavien Prat’s Jockey Cam
NBC Breeders’ Cup Classic Replay
As all the owners of Flightline gathered in the Keeneland Winner’s Circle after the race, Flightline walked in almost as if he knew what he had just done. With his head held high and his ears pricked straight up you got the impression he was celebrating the win and the comparisons being made to some of the best thoroughbreds ever to race. In what was a “once in a lifetime” experience, Colleen and myself enjoyed every minute of the Breeder’s Cup Classic celebration and the entire ride Flightline took us on.
Winner’s Circle
Drew FLeming – CEO Breeders’ Cup
On Sunday after the Classic, Flightline’s ownership group made the decision to retire him and allow him to begin his stallion career at Lane’s End Farm. As Bill Farish (Owner of Lane’s End Farm) stated, “what’s left for Flightline to conquer on the racetrack, he’s beat the best 3 year old colts as well as the best older horses currently in training”.
While the retirement of Flightline was bittersweet, the decision was validated on Monday morning when one of the forty shares controlled by the ownership group sold for $4.6 million at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.
Flightline Romps at the Breeders’ Cup, Building His Legend
Flightline dominates Breeders’ Cup Classic, winning by 8¼ lengths
Flightline Retired to Stud at Lane’s End – BloodHorse
Flightline retired after capping perfect career with Classic triumph
Breeders’ Cup Classic: Leyva knew in 2020 BC win was Flightline’s destiny