Claiborne Farm announces the death of stalwart sire Flatter at the age of 23

Claiborne Farm's Flatter, a stalwart on its roster for nearly two decades, was euthanised on Monday at the age of 23 due to the infirmities of old age, the farm reported on Tuesday.

The son of A.P. Indy was a second-generation homebred for Claiborne and prominent owner-breeder Adele Dilschneider out of Mr. Prospector's daughter Praise, making him a full-brother to Grade 2 winner and notable sire Congrats.

"Flatter was the kind of sire you'd like to have ten of," said Claiborne Farm's Bernie Sams. "He was solid and consistent year in and year out. He started at the bottom and worked his way up to being a successful and respected stallion.

"He was popular among people who bred to race and was a successful commercial sire as well. He will be greatly missed."

After finishing fourth on his debut, Flatter rolled off a four-race winning streak at Churchill Downs, Arlington and Turfway Park, before finishing third in the Washington Park Handicap. He was retired after that effort with four wins in six starts and $148,815 in earnings.

Flatter retired to stud at Claiborne in 2004. He has sired 16 crops of racing age that have yielded 692 winners and more than $84.1 million in progeny earnings. He has sired 67 stakes winners, which include 21 Graded/Group winners.

Flatter's best runners are led by West Coast, who was named Eclipse champion three-year-old colt for 2017 after winning the Travers Stakes and Pennsylvania Derby, as well as finishing third in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

He followed that in 2018 with runner-up spots in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational, Dubai World Cup- and the Awesome Again Stakes. West Coast retired with more than $5.8m in earnings.

Flat Out earned over $3.6 million on the racetrack, with wins in multiple runnings of the Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational Stakes and Suburban Handicap, as well as success in the Cigar Mile Handicap.

Flat Out: multiple top-level winning son of FlatterCredit: Barbara Livingston Photo

Other Grade 1 winners by Flatter include 2016 Humana Distaff Stakes winner Taris; Test Stakes winner Paola Queen in 2016; and Search Results, who won the Acorn Stakes and was runner-up in the Kentucky Oaks, both in 2021.

In addition to West Coast, Flat Out, and Taris, Flatter’s seven runners to earn $1 million or more includes Grade 2 winners Upstart and Kobe’s Back, Grade 3 winner Plainsman, and 11-time stakes winner Lucy’s Bob Boy.

As a broodmare sire, Flatter’s daughters have produced Grade 1 winners Juju’s Map and Taiba, Grade 2 winner Merneith and multiple Brazilian Group 1 winner Fast Jet Court.

"Flatter's passing leaves a huge hole in all of our hearts," said Walker Hancock, president of Claiborne. "He was a homebred of ours that was tough as nails until the day he passed.

"He was a fan favourite and will be sorely missed. We will look for his legacy to continue through his sons at stud."

Flatter will be buried at Claiborne Farm.

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