It was a performance like something from another star: The way Flightline dominated the competition in the Breeders` Cup Classic 2022 at Keeneland is something you only get to see very rarely. Only shortly after the fabulous performance in the super highlight, it was announced that Flightline would now immediately end his career.
A heated discussion ensued in the social media as to whether this point in time of retirement was not too early and whether making money with him as a stallion would be in the foreground. Opinions differ widely on this. In any case, Flightline is retiring at the absolute peak, having crowned his career as an unbeaten horse with a remarkable victory at Keeneland on Saturday.
The four-year-old won six races, including the Malibu Stakes and this year`s Met Mile and Pacific Classic, where he beat Dubai World Cup winner Country Grammer by 19.5 lengths at Del Mar. Flightline, who was trained by John Sadler, will be used as a stud at Lane`s End Farm next year and the stud fee has not yet been announced. "We would like to thank John Sadler and his team for the incredible work they have done with Flightline," said Bill Farish, the stud`s director. "His historic achievements are a credit to their expertise and tireless efforts to bring out the best in the horse."
Flightline is officially the highest rated flat horse in the world and has been mentioned in the same breath as several legends of the sport, including 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat and Frankel.
