Edited Press Release
Flightline (Tapit-Feathered, by Indian Charlie), who is rated among the best racehorses in history after his momentous 19 1/4-length victory in the GI Pacific Classic this month, will enter stud as the property of a syndicate at Lane's End Farm upon the conclusion of his racing career.
From a prolific Phipps family, Flightline was bred by Jane Lyon's Summer Wind Farm and is raced by Summer Wind in partnership with Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Woodford Racing. A $1-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase from the Lane's End consignment, Flightline is trained by John Sadler and has been ridden in all five of his starts by Flavien Prat.
Flightline displayed star power right from the beginning, winning on debut in April of 2021 at Santa Anita Park. His 13 1/4-length victory earned him 'TDN Rising Star' status and a Beyer Speed Figure of 105. He was scintillating in a first-level allowance at Del Mar at second asking, winning by 12 3/4 lengths and earning a 114 Beyer.
Making his stakes debut in the GI Malibu S. in December of 2021, Flightline continued to assert his dominance, winning by 11 1/2 lengths for a 118 Beyer. Next seen in the GI Metropolitan H. at Belmont Park on June 11, Flightline overcame a troubled trip to score by six lengths, earning a 112 Beyer.
The Pacific Classic on Sept. 3 was Flightline's first attempt stretching out to two turns and a mile and a quarter. It proved to be his most dominant performance to date, as he drew off from G1 Dubai World Cup winner Country Grammer (Tonalist) and GI Santa Anita H. winner Express Train (Union Rags) to win by 19 1/4 lengths, earning a Beyer of 126–the joint second-highest Beyer since Daily Racing Form began publishing Beyer Speed Figures 30 years ago. Thoro-Graph assigned Flightline a – 8 1/2, the fastest number it has ever given out. Flightline's Pacific Classic performance resonated overseas, too: Timeform assigned him a rating of 143, the highest number ever given to an American-trained horse. Flightline also sits atop Timeform's 2022 global rankings, ahead of Shadwell's unbeaten European superstar Baaeed (See The Stars {Ire}). He has earned nearly $1.4-million, and is being pointed for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland on Nov. 5.
Flightline is out of Jane Lyon's Feathered, a daughter of Indian Charlie who won the GIII Edgewood S. at Churchill Downs and finished second in both the GI American Oaks and GI Starlet S. and third in the GI Frizette S. It is an excellent Phipps family, the third dam being the GI Matron S. and GI Acorn S. winner Finder's Fee (Storm Cat), and the fourth dam GISW Fantastic Find (Mr. Prospector).
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