Flying Spur adds 4th G1 winner as a damsire

Flying Spur added a fourth Group 1 winner to his burgeoning record as a broodmare sire when Australian-bred 2YO colt Delago Deluxe won the Gold Medallion 1200m G1 at Scottsville, South Africa on Saturday.

Flying Spur’s previous Group 1 winners, among 20 stakeswinners, are Headway (by Charge Forward ), Sebring and Grand Journey.

Delago Deluxe is by Encosta de Lago from Succeeding, the result of Peter and Wendy Moran’s choice of Flying Spur as the first mate for their marvellous racemare and now outstanding broodmare Staging. A three-time city winner, Succeeding was subsequently purchased by Gerry Harvey who bred Delago Deluxe, while the Morans breed from Succeeding’s year-younger full sister Studio.

Gerry Harvey’s Baramul Stud paid $800,000 for another daughter of Flying Spur, Group 2 winner Military Rose, at yesterday’s Session 4 of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

Flying Spur is the youngest active stallion among Australia’s top 10 broodmare sires this season with earnings of $4.6 million.

It was perhaps only a matter of time before one of his daughters left a Group 1 winner to Encosta de Lago, who is from Flying Spur’s half-sister, Shoal Creek, and also figures as the sire of Manhattan Rain and damsire of freshman Beneteau .

While earning respect as a broodmare sire, Flying Spur continues to build his own stud record with eight stakeswinners and prizemoney of $4.5 million in Australia this season. The champion sire son of Danehill is also having a fine season in Hong Kong and Singapore where he is a top 10 sire.

Flying Spur stands the 2011 season at a fee of $49,500 inc. GST.