Flying Spur (4 November 1992–8 May 2018) was an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse that won three Group One races, most notably the 1995 Golden Slipper. He was also the Leading sire in Australia for the 2006/07 season.

Flying Spur
Racing silks of Arrowfield Stud
SireDanehill
GrandsireDanzig
DamRolls
DamsireMr Prospector
SexStallion
Foaled(1992-11-04)4 November 1992
Died8 May 2018(2018-05-08) (aged 25)
CountryAustralia
ColourBay
BreederArrowfield Stud
OwnerArrowfield Stud
TrainerLee Freedman
JockeyDamien Oliver
Mick Dittman
Glen Boss
Steven King
Record20: 6–6–2
EarningsAU$2,085,843[1]
Major wins
Blue Diamond Prelude (1995)
Golden Slipper (1995)
Peter Pan Stakes (1995)
Australian Guineas (1996)
All Aged Stakes (1996)
Awards
Leading sire in Australia (2006/07)

Background

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Flying Spur was from the second crop of champion sire Danehill. He was born and bred at Arrowfield Stud in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales.

He was sent to the 1994 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale where he was bought for $160,000 by trainer Lee Freedman for a group of owners. The majority ownership of the horse was retained by Arrowfield Stud.

Racing career

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Flying Spur won at his debut on the 26 November 1994 at Caulfield. Two starts later he won his first stakes races the Blue Diamond Prelude when ridden by Mick Dittman. The following week he ran second in the Blue Diamond Stakes as a 13/4 favourite and backed up again a week later when third in the Sires' Produce Stakes (VRC).

After a three week break Flying Spur next contested the 1995 Golden Slipper where he started as a 25/1 outsider. Jim Cassidy was originally booked to ride the horse in the race but became disqualified from riding and Glen Boss was made his replacement. In a close finish Flying Spur defeated future Hall of Fame horse Octagonal in second place, with Millrich (future dam of Redzel) in third. Years later, Boss would say, "Flying Spur was the horse that really put me on the map. I owe a lot in my career to him."[2]

Flying Spur would win his next Group One race in the 1996 Australian Guineas at Flemington when ridden by Damien Oliver and his third and final major being the 1996 All Aged Stakes at Randwick when ridden by Steven King.

Stud career

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Flying Spur was retired from racing after 20 starts to commence stallion duties at Arrowfield Stud. He performed this role between 1996 until 2012 when he was retired from service due to declining fertility. As well as being crowned Leading sire in Australia for the 2006/07 season, his progeny amassed over $135 million in prizemoney. He sired over 1,000 individual winners, including 99 stakes winners and 14 Group One winners.[3]

After being retired from stallion duties, Flying Spur remained at Arrowfield Stud and lived out his days there until dying in 2018 aged 25. He was laid to rest and buried at the stud.[4]

Notable progeny

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Flying Spur's 14 Group One winners:

c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding

Foaled Name Sex Major wins
1997 All Time High f The Thousand Guineas
1998 Juanmo f Sires' Produce Stakes (BRC), TJ Smith Stakes (BRC)
1998 San Luis c Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes
2000 Roedean f Blue Diamond Stakes
2002 Magnus c The Galaxy
2003 Alverta f Coolmore Classic
2003 Casino Prince c Chipping Norton Stakes
2003 Inspiration g Hong Kong Sprint, Centenary Sprint Cup
2003 Mentality g Champagne Stakes, Randwick Guineas, George Main Stakes
2004 Dealer Principle g Rosehill Guineas
2004 Forensics f Golden Slipper, Queen of the Turf Stakes, Myer Classic
2004 Sleek Chassis f Blue Diamond Stakes
2009 Sacred Star g Telegraph Handicap, NRM Sprint
2011 Boom Time c Caulfield Cup

Pedigree

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Pedigree of Flying Spur (AUS) 1992[5]
Sire
Danehill (USA)
1986
Danzig (USA)
1977
Northern Dancer Nearctic
Natalma
Pas de Nom Admiral's Voyage
Petitioner
Razyana (USA)
1981
His Majesty Ribot
Flower Bowl
Spring Adieu Buckpasser
Natalma
Dam
Rolls (USA)
1984
Mr Prospector (USA)
1970
Raise a Native Native Dancer
Raise You
Gold Digger Nashua
Sequence
Grand Luxe (CAN)
1974
Sir Ivor Sir Gaylord
Atilla
Fanfreluche Northern Dancer
Ciboulettel

References

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  1. ^ "Street Boss Horse Search". racingandsports.com. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Boss fondly remembers Flying Spur". racing.com. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Farewell Flying Spur and thank you for everything". Arrowfield Stud. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Flying Spur heads to horse heaven". breednet.com.au. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Flying Spur Horse Profile". pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 24 September 2021.