Spur is still Flying high
There are many paths a stallion’s career can take, but the hardest trick is putting a final flourish on an outstanding stud record.
Champion sire Flying Spur experienced many highs and a few lows during his 17-year stud career, but when he retired in the Spring of 2012, there was more than enough evidence on the board to ensure he will always be a gold-plated name in a pedigree. He had earned the right to retreat gracefully off the stage, leaving the limelight to his barnmate Redoute’s Choice and the young guns of the next generation.
However, the now 23-year-old son of Danehill is working from a different script. In the three-and-a-half seasons since he left the Arrowfield stallion barn, 15 horses have added 30 Group & Listed stakes wins to his record, and his worldwide, lifetime progeny earnings have increased by $22 million to almost $128 million.
Although, inevitably, Flying Spur’s racetrack representation will diminish and the flow of winners will eventually stop, it’s not happening yet. 78 winners and $4.1 million kept him in last season’s top 30 Australian sires, and right now, he’s 17th with 52 winners and $3.3 million.
That’s largely thanks to 3YO colt Mahuta, from Flying Spur’s last full crop, who has progressed from maiden class to multiple Group success and $1.6 million prizemoney in less than six months.
4YO Arrowfield graduate Traveston Girl won twice in Listed company last November & December, while Hazard, Okahu Bay & That’s A Good Idea – already stakeswinners – have placed in black type company.
Across the Tasman just over a year ago, Sacred Star became Flying Spur’s 12th Group 1 winner, earning the title of Champion New Zealand Sprinter. He returned last Saturday to win the ARC Darley Plate LR, his ninth victory in a $678,000 career.
Flying Spur is now only one winner away from a century of stakeswinners and, given the durability of his stock, it will be no surprise to see him add a few more beyond that milestone.
At the same time, his sons, and especially his daughters are building a powerful second-generation legacy. Flying Spur’s value as a broodmare sire is well-established by 62 stakeswinners, six of them Group 1 winners including Preferment, Speak Fondly and leading sire Sebring. His sire sons Magnus (11 SW lifetime), Casino Prince (12 SW) and Jet Spur (7 SW) all appear among the top 35 stallions on the current Australian General list.
Buyers looking for a touch of Flying Spur’s magic can start with the 15 Inglis Easter Sale yearlings out of his daughters, including Turangga Farm’s handsome filly by Charge Forward from Chatelaine. The Charge Forward/Flying Spur cross has an excellent SWs/runners strike rate of 13.5% and this filly is a full sister to the best of them, Champion 2YO Filly & 3YO Group 1 winner Headway.
