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.

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Zoustar 7YO Chasing G1 for Cambridge Stud
South Africa will tackle the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday night and earlier in the day a horse named after one of their favourite sons will be vying for Group One glory down the road at Ellerslie Racecourse.
Sires With Winners - Monday September 1
Here is the full list of 22 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Tara Talks Racing - We Chat with the Breeder of Raging Force
The Group III ATC San Domenico Stakes was won last Saturday by exciting Cosmic Force gelding Raging Force, so this week we’re chatting to his breeder Dr Richard McClenahan of Mullaglass Stud, who has a self-confessed ‘mare addiction’!
Vale, G1 winning horseman Tony Dennis
A member of one of New Zealand racing’s most famous and successful families has died, with the recent passing of Tony (Anthony) Dennis, aged 86.
First Foals for Lofty Strike
One of the most interesting young stallions that we saw on the recent Victorian stud tour was at Swettenham Stud and it has not taken long for the big baldy face of Lofty Strike to find it’s way on to one of his first foals.
2025 NZB Ready to Run Catalogue Online - World’s Most Successful 2YO Sale
The catalogue for the 2025 edition of the leading sale of two-year-olds is now online and in mailboxes, with NZB excited to unveil another stellar offering at the Ready to Run Sale.
Five Lots Announced for Tattersalls Online Barrier Trials Pop-Up Sale
Tattersalls Online, Europe’s leading online thoroughbred sales platform, will break new ground when offering for auction five lots who took part in the ITM Irish EBF Barrier Trials at Leopardstown Racecourse earlier this week. The sale which takes place on 3rd – 4th September can be viewed on the Tattersalls Online website www.tattersallsonline.com.
One to Watch – Ballarat
An Ole Kirk filly from a famous female family started a short priced favourite at Ballarat on Monday and duly got the cash.
Melbourne Racing Club Announces Official Trial Schedule for 2025–26
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) is thrilled to announce a comprehensive schedule of 15 Official Trials across the 2025–26 season, providing an essential service to trainers, owners and jockeys while addressing the industry’s increasing need for metropolitan grass access.
Vale, Robert Priscott
Former Group One-winning trainer Robert Priscott has passed away.