The Spirit of Flying Spur's golden age

Two new stakeswinners in a week make it clear that champion sire Flying Spur is intent upon turning his retirement into a golden age.

On Wednesday it was Gold Force who earned black type and the winner’s share of the $250,000 Inglis 2YO Premier Stakes at Mornington.

Tonight it was the turn of Zac Spirit who became Flying Spur’s 92nd stakeswinner when he prevailed in a stirring battle with Holy Empire for the $200,000 Three Rings Trophy 1400m Sgp-3.

Trainer Cliff Brown said, “I’m very proud of him. The second horse (Holy Empire) is a very good horse and both were very gallant.” Zac Spirit’s next race will be the 2nd Leg of the Singapore Sprint Series, the $200,000 Kranji Sprint Sgp-2 over 1200 metres on 4 April.

Zac Spirit was bred by Newhaven Park & Colin Tidy from Kidman (by Quest for Fame) and purchased by Brown for $140,000 at the 2011 Inglis Easter Sale. The 4YO gelding is raced by the Zac Stable which also raced his stakes-winning half-brother Zac Influence.

Kidman, herself a Group-placed city winner, and descended from the important broodmare Summoned, has a yearling filly by Manhattan Rain and a 2013 colt by Redoute’s Choice.

Six colts and four fillies from Flying Spur’s final crop will be offered at the upcoming Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale, with a further nine lots catalgoued for April’s Inglis Easter Sale, including Arrowfield Stud’s brother to Group 1 winner Inspiration.