Secretariat jockey a Flightline fan but Triple Crown hero 'still his number one'

Brilliant Classic hero retired to stud on Sunday after Keeneland triumph

Flightline: ran out an emphatic winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Flightline's stunning success in the Breeders' Cup Classic in the US on Saturday will be officially his last as his retirement ffom racing was confirmed on Sunday as plaudits poured in alongside comparisons with the legendary US racehorse Secretariat.

The world's highest-rated performer of 2022 will have no further opportunities to wow a global audience after he was retired to stud at Lane's End Farm in Kentucky next year at a fee to be announced.

His emphatic success in one of the world's premier races led many to compare him to Secretariat including Hall Of Fame jockey Mike Smith, who finished a distant third in Saturday's $6 million contest.

Read the full story

Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.

Subscribe to unlock

Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data

Already a subscriber?Log in

James BurnLambourn correspondent

Published on 6 November 2022inGrand National festival

Last updated 12:20, 7 November 2022

Copy