John Sadler

North America's richest horse Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) is among the nine equine finalists for the 2023 National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame class. Additionally, six trainers and one jockey account for the 16 total individuals who will make up the ballot, which will be chosen by the Museum's Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. The other finalists are Blind Luck (Pollard's Vision), California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit), Game On Dude (Awesome Again), Havre de Grace (Saint Liam), Kona Gold (Java Gold), Lady Eli (Divine Park), Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy), and...

Flightline not only garnered the Older Dirt Male Eclipse Award, but his impressive performances throughout 2022 earned him the right at this coveted prize—Horse of the Year. FLIGHTLINE We may never see another one quite like him again. Crowned as Longines World's Best Racehorse in London last week, Flightline, to absolutely no one's surprise, added Horse of the Year and champion older dirt male honors at Thursday evening's Eclipse Awards. The unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' ran to his unworldly reputation and then some by concluding his six-for-six career with a...

Malathaat and Flightline finished their careers in style at the Breeders' Cup that led to their crowning as the most-talented older female and male in North America. MALATHAAT A star every step of the way, Malathaat hails from Barbara Banke's stellar Stonestreet program out of a second-generation Grade I winner by a two-time Horse of the Year turned elite sire. In a feat for the ages, Stonestreet bred all three finalists in this division, while Godolphin did the same in the male turf division. Malathaat brought seven figures as a...

Combatant (Scat Daddy--Border Dispute, by Boundary) was represented by his first foal when Sadie's Song (Unbridled's Song) produced a filly by the late Grade I winner at Waldorf Farm Jan. 21. The filly was bred by McConnell Racing. Combatant won the 2020 GI Santa Anita H. and was second in that year's GII San Pasqual S. in the colors of Hronis Racing and trainer John Sadler. He was also second in the 2018 GIII Southwest S. and third in that year's GII Rebel S. After standing his first season at...

With the 52nd Annual Eclipse Awards in Palm Beach, Fla. less than a month away, the votes will be cast by the media and other important officials until Jan. 3, as Thoroughbred racing aims to honor its best. The Thoroughbred Daily News Staff that are members of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB) submitted their selections this week and here is a rundown of the results from some of the categories, along with their 'strongest vote.' Bill Horse of the Year: Flightline 3-Year-Old Male: Taiba 3-Year-Old Filly: Nest 2-Year-Old...

Lexington, KY - While the Flightline connections have been busy at the Keeneland November Sale assembling a powerhouse group of mares to send to their new stallion, the superstar himself has been settling into his new home at Lane's End Farm. 'TDN Rising Star' Flightline (Tapit - Feathered, by Indian Charlie) arrived at the Versailles-based breeding operation less than 24 hours after he cemented his place in history in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. Accompanied by John Sadler's assistant and exercise rider Juan Leyva and barn foreman Cesar Aguilar,...

The Week in Review, by Bill Finley Winning Breeders' Cup races is supposed to be hard. Doesn't Charlie Appleby know that? The Breeders' Cup annually brings together the best trainers in the U.S. and many of the best in Europe. Wayne Lukas has won the most races, 20. Bob Baffert is next with 18. Chad Brown and Todd Pletcher are always forces. Aidan O'Brien brings a small army to the Breeders' Cup every year and has 16 winners to show for it, including three this year. But Appleby stands alone....

Flightline (Tapit--Feathered, by Indian Charlie), who capped a brilliant unbeaten career with an 8 1/4-length victory in Saturday's GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, has been retired to Lane's End Farm, his connections announced Sunday morning. He will stand as the property of a syndicate with a stud fee still to be announced. It was previously announced that a 2.5% ownership share in Flightline as he prepares to embark on his stallion career will be offered Monday on Day 1 of the Keeneland November Sale. From a prolific Phipps family, Flightline...

"We need a hero," owner Kosta Hronis said, overcome with emotion standing in the winner's circle following the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, where Flightline (Tapit) ran one of the greatest races in the long history of the sport. "We need a champion," he continued. "We need an undefeated horse. Someone who can go out and do this and that's Flightline." In those four short sentences Hronis captured the moment, the sentiment and all the reasons why Flightline needs to be brought back for a 2023 campaign. It's because the sport...

LEXINGTON, KY - You can add horse of a lifetime to the superlatives now, too. Unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Flightline (Tapit) ran to his already unworldly reputation, and, dare we say, even more, with a spectacular 8 1/4-length victory in Saturday's $6-million GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland. Olympiad (Speightstown) and fellow 'Rising Star' Taiba (Gun Runner) filled out the minors. "A great win today. He just ran beautiful; just like we thought he could," said winning trainer John Sadler, who previously put to bed an 0-for-44 mark at the...

This week on the TDN Writers' Room, the team gives the rundown on all things Breeders' Cup. Tune in for all their top picks, handicapping notes and more.

With the GI Breeders' Cup Classic nearing, John Sadler is, as you might expect, feeling pretty good about his superstar Flightline (Tapit). Zoe Cadman caught up with Sadler, this week's Green Group Guest of the Week on the TDN Writers' Room podcast, brought to you by Keeneland. When asked about Flightline's works leading up to the Breeders' Cup, Sadler commented: "He's such a good worker. You've seen so many of his works and they're all published. He's capable of doing anything in the morning, but he went very well over...