Aussie Bred Flag of Honour Wins Canadian G3

Tara Madgwick - Sunday June 2

The familiar colours of Ron and Judy Wanless were in the winner’s circle at Woodbine on the weekend when talented Aussie bred American Pharoah (USA) gelding Flag of Honour captured the Group III Jacques Cartier Stakes (6f).

Flag of Honour is now a two time Group winner in Canada - image Mr Will Wong Twitter

Flag of Honour was purchased as a yearling for $425,000 at Magic Millions from the Baramul Stud draft by Tasman Bloodstock and showed immense potential in a brief career of just six starts when trained by Kris Lees.

He won three of those starts and was twice fourth a Group III race to Golden Mile and a Listed race to Williamsburg, but after two separate bleeding incidents was barred from Australian racing.

Advertisement

Sent to North America, he is now trained by Julia Carey and scored a stylish length and a quarter victory taking his overall record to five wins from 10 starts with this latest victory his second in a Graded race.

 

Bred by Gerry Harvey, Flag of Honour was the second highest priced yearling by his sire sold at Magic Millions in 2021 and is the first winner for Group I placed Stratum mare Godiva Rock, whose grand-dam is a half-sister to Group I Victoria Derby winner Redding.

This is the prolific Black Type ‘Leica’ family that has produced G1 winners such as Nothin’ Leica Dane and Leica Smile.

Godiva Rock produced a filly by Maurice (Jpn) last spring and appears to be in foal to Pierro.

Flag of Honour is one of 46 stakes-winners worldwide for Coolmore’s Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (USA), who shuttled to Australia for five seasons. His best offspring is Aussie bred triple Group I winning 3YO Riff Rocket.

 

Visit the profile page for American Pharoah

American Pharoah in upcoming sales:
Advertisment
More Reading...
Strong Trade Continues at Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale
Strong trade continued on the fourth day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale with an interesting horse set to join the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald stable as turnover has already soared to be the second highest in the sale’s history with the fifth and final session still to come. 
Speed is What Sells
There are two Group I events for three year-olds at Flemington on Saturday and both are worth $2million, but the profile of the horses engaged, many of them being colts, couldn’t be more different starting with their purchase price.
Bellatrix Star to Lead Flemington Contenders for Te Akau and Fortuna
The Melbourne Cup Carnival holds special memories for both Te Akau Racing and Fortuna Racing, and there could be more to come with five black-type contenders on Derby Day at Flemington on Saturday.
Grade Two Triumph for Australian Bred Flag Of Honour at Woodbine
The winner of three of six starts for Kris Lees, the American Pharoah gelding Flag Of Honour opened his North American account when clinging on for a nose victory in the Grade II Kennedy Road  Stakes at Woodbine.
Derby déjà vu for Busuttin
Trent Busuttin believes the stars have aligned in his quest for a second Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) title at Flemington.
Cambridge Stud News and New Website
Cambridge Stud have been on a winning roll and have just launched their exciting new website.
Depth aplenty in November (Early) Online Sale
The dam of and a sister to G1 sprinter Oscar’s Fortune, mares in foal on desirable covers and an unreserved dispersal from a respected bloodstock operator are among the highlights of the Inglis Digital November (Early) Online Sale.
Flightline and Cogburn Shares Highlight Inaugural Keeneland Championship Sale
Stallion shares in Horse of the Year and exciting young sire Flightline and also Widden Stud's new shuttle prospect Cogburn changed hands at the inaugural Keeneland Championship Sale.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
The barrier trials at Randwick on Friday morning featured two heats for juveniles won by a filly that placed in the Group III ATC Gimcrack Stakes and a colt from an outstanding producer that has had six foals to race all winners!
Kiwi Bred Atishu Set to Shine Again at Flemington
Group One-winning mare Atishu will be seeking redemption in Saturday’s Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington after finishing runner-up in the race last year to Pride of Jenni.