A group including owner Juddmonte Farms, the China Horse Club, SF Bloodstock and John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farm have formed to stand Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}–Dance Routine {GB}, by Sadler's Wells) upon his retirement from the races, expected to come following Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Turf. He is the 5-2 morning-line favorite for the race in which he was second in 2014.
The leading turf horse in the world by earnings ($8,909,910), Flintshire is a Group 1/Grade I winner in France, Hong Kong and the United States and is a leading candidate for Eclipse Award honors on the strength of victories this term in the GI Woodford Reserve Manhattan S. and a successful defense of his title in the GI Longines Sword Dancer S. Trainer earlier in his career by Andre Fabre and now conditioned by Chad Brown, Flintshire was also runner-up in consecutive runnings of the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and was second in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic. He has a record of 23-8-11-1.
“This is an exciting group that has come together to support and stand behind an incredible international star who brought his best race to every corner of the globe and distinguished himself truly as a horse of the world,” said Sikura. “The fact that Juddmonte is staying in and have committed mares to him says a lot about their belief in the horse to become a great sire. I believe Kentucky needs to become more global again in attracting international stallion prospects. He is the product and epitome of arguably the best breeding program in the world, Juddmonte. Hill 'n' Dale will support him with a great book of mares. We are managing a horse like this and crafting his career, not just selling seasons. Our partners are like minded which gives us a great internal foundation of mares to support the horse,” continued Sikura.
Added SF Bloodstock's Tom Ryan, “Flintshire is the ultimate racehorse with a brilliant turn of foot and huge pedigree. The fact that he is the all time Leading money earner ever produced by the internationally acclaimed Juddmonte Farm is quite a testament to his exceptional talent and quality. We will buy specific mares for him and support him heavily. We believe in the horse.”
Michael Wallace of the China Horse Club commented, “This is a truly international racehorse of the highest order and exactly the type of horse the China Horse Club is looking to become involved with, great looking, deep pedigree with immense talent. We will do our part to give Flintshire a great chance to succeed. He is a uniquely-accomplished horse that has all the ingredients to become a top sire.”
“Flintshire epitomizes what we try to produce at Juddmonte. He is by our most accomplished stallion, from one of our best families. He is our Leading earner ever and one of the soundest and most honest horses we have ever raced. He has a regal temperament and a will to win that shows in his scintillating turn of foot. We are very proud of him,” said Garrett O'Rourke, general manager at Juddmonte.
A full-brother to SW & GSP stayer Dance Moves (GB), Flintshire is out of MGSW & G1 Prix de Diane runner-up Dance Routine. This is also the same family responsible for the globetrotting MSW & MG1SP Spanish Moon (El Prado {Ire}) and GSW Spanish Sun (El Prado {Ire}).
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