Flintshire Retiring to Hill 'n' Dale After BC

A partnership of Hill 'n' Dale Farms, S.F. Bloodstock, China Horse Club, and Juddmonte Farms has been formed to stand Juddmonte's superstar homebred Flintshire. The globe-trotting, royally bred son of leading sire Dansili will stand at Hill 'n' Dale near Lexington upon his retirement after the Nov. 5 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT), in which he is the morning-line favorite.

Flintshire has amassed career earnings of nearly $9 million and won five grade/group I stakes including the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp in France, Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin in Hong Kong, the Sword Dancer Stakes twice at Saratoga Race Course, and the Woodford Reserve Manhattan at Belmont Park. In addition, the 18-time graded/group stakes-placed Flintshire ran second twice in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I), and was second in the 2014 Breeders' Cup Turf, the 2015 Dubai Sheema Classic presented by Longines (UAE-I), the Hong Kong Vase (HK-I), the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (gr. IT), the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud (Fr-I), and the Coronation Cup (Eng-I) at Epsom. 

"This is an exciting group that has come together to support and stand behind an incredible international star who brought his best race to every corner of the globe and distinguished himself truly as a horse-of-the-world," said John Sikura, president of Hill 'n' Dale Farms. "The fact that Juddmonte is staying in and have committed mares to him says a lot about its belief in the horse to become a great sire.

"I believe Kentucky needs to become more global again in attracting international stallion prospects. Look at the success of War Front   and Kitten's Joy  . We should be embracing these kinds of opportunities in order to be relevant to all marketplaces.

"I have been waiting for the right horse to stand that fits this mold," Sikura continued. "I believe Flintshire is the one. He is the product and epitome of arguably the best breeding program in the world, Juddmonte. Hill 'n' Dale will support him with a great book of mares. We are managing a horse like this and crafting his career, not just selling seasons. Our partners are like-minded, which gives us a great internal foundation of mares to support the horse."

Flintshire is out of the group II winner and group I-placed Dance Routine, a British-bred daughter of Sadler's Wells.

Garrett O'Rourke, general manager of Juddmonte's operation near Lexington, said Flintshire embodies the goal of Prince Khalid Abdullah's breeding program. 

"He is by our most accomplished stallion, from one of our best families," O'Rourke said. "He is our leading earner ever and one of the soundest and most honest horses we have ever raced. He has a regal temperament and a will to win that shows in his scintillating turn of foot. We are very proud of him."

"Flintshire is the ultimate racehorse with a brilliant turn of foot and huge pedigree," said Tom Ryan of S.F. Bloodstock. "The fact that he is the all-time leading money earner ever produced by the internationally acclaimed Juddmonte Farm is quite a testament to his exceptional talent and quality. We will buy specific mares for him and support him heavily. We believe in the horse."

Michael Wallace of the China Horse Club commented, "This is a truly international racehorse of the highest order and exactly the type of horse the China Horse Club is looking to become involved with, great looking, deep pedigree with immense talent. We will do our part to give Flintshire a great chance to succeed. He is a uniquely accomplished horse that has all the ingredients to become a top sire."

Trainer Chad Brown described Flintshire as a world-class racehorse "of the highest order," who is durable, sound, and has the gift of remarkable acceleration.

"Flintshire's final half mile time in the Manhattan was :44.56, freakish," Brown said. "That's what separates him from others I have trained and seen in my career … a truly world-class racehorse, with enormous class and presence."