Here’s what those closest to the world’s #1 racehorse – and his rivals – had to say about a commanding victory at Keeneland in America’s richest race
John Sadler Flightline’s trainer
How do you describe greatness? This is a rare horse. It happens every 20 or 30 years. One of the best American racehorses we’ve seen in a long, long time. And I’m talking back to Secretariat, Seattle Slew. You go through the list.
He just ran beautiful; just like we thought he could. It’s wonderful when it all works out. That’s a very good horse that was second. This is one of the greatest horses of all time.
I tried to not get out ahead of the story – we just wanted to march into this race. I haven’t been sleeping for two weeks; I’m a little tired. But he’s just a great horse. What I’ve tried to be is a good steward to him, be fair with him. And if you’re good with your horses, they’re good with you.
He’s just a remarkable, remarkable horse. In the words of Bud Delp, he’s one of the best horses to ever look through a bridle. He’s just that good. He’s been brilliant. Brilliant is his normal. He didn’t disappoint. He never has. We’re just really thrilled.
For me, it’s a culmination of your life’s work. When you’ve worked with horses your whole life, just most trainers don’t get a horse like this. I’m just feeling very blessed.
It was a beautiful ride. No panic on Flavien’s part. He let the horse do the running. We’re thrilled. It’s not about me, it’s about the horse. He’s a great horse. There were 2-3,000 people who came just to see him do a workout last week!
Flavien Prat Flightline’s jockey
He’d shown so much talent – we were expecting a great run from him. He was an old pro. He broke sharp. I was worried that because he never really breaks super sharp. And was able to get myself in the clear, he was traveling well and relaxed well down the backside. I felt like was in control the whole race.
Once I broke well and was where I wanted to be, I was in control. But you never know what to expect because it’s horse racing – sometimes it doesn’t happen the way you think it will. I can’t thank enough John Sadler and Juan Leyva.
Juan Leyva Flightline’s exercise rider
He just proved to anybody who might have doubted how great he really is. I think he just left everybody in awe. Especially with those fractions they set down. And he pulled away. From a quality field like that. I’m just so very proud of him, just really happy to be part of this. We came, we saw, and we conquered.
Terry Finley CEO of West Point Thoroughbreds, Flightline’s co-owners
To run away from those horses … they were eight in front down the backside! I didn’t even see what they went three-quarters in, what, seven and change? I’m glad I didn’t see that. I’m glad I didn’t see that because, I mean, going a mile, who does that? So to run away from those horses like he did and to see those horses really, everyone a Grade 1 winner, either this was going to be really good or we’re going to have some problems. I think it was one or the other as they went into the far turn.
Obviously Flavien has a lot of confidence in this horse; always has. He gave him a break and he just gave him a shot to kind of throttle down a little bit. I think that confidence is warranted.
I thought he got tested today. Like, I know you’re supposed to say, your opponents and give kudos to your opponents. But Flightline ran better than I thought he was going to run overall. They laid it down. I talked to Irad after the race and all he said was: ‘Man, we were going very fast down the backside.’ So I’m just delighted, especially for the horse.
It was the coolest thing all week to be in town and to be around – like the breakfast and everything. People, they just had a sparkle in their eye when they talked about Flightline.
Bill Mott trainer of Olympiad (2nd)
He’s brilliant; that’s what we saw yesterday. The problem is nobody remembers who ran second. I would love to see him run again next year, even if I had to run against him. I think horses like that are great for the sport.
Junior Alvarado jockey of Olympiad (2nd)
I had a great experience even if I didn’t win. I’m a little guy and I had such a break to have a horse like Olympiad, but then what a break to have a horse like Flightline in the race! That was a race like you might see in 60 or 70 years, once in a lifetime, period. I am happy that I will forever be known as the guy who finished second to Flightline in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
I was excited that one horse was coming on at the end come up but I knew I had no shot to win. I hope they keep him running next year. that is my big hope. I am so happy even though I didn’t win.
Mike Smith jockey of Taiba (3rd)
He's the best horse I think I've ever seen. I take my hat off to him. He just has a different engine and breathes different air. He's up there with old Secretariat. As far as what I've seen personally and ridden against. They're not meant to finish like he did. He just breathes different air, he seems to keep running.
Bob Baffert trainer of Taiba (3rd)
I would have loved to run second. I knew Flightline – he just reminds me of American Pharoah. You watch him work in the morning you’d never think he’s that good, but when he gets in the gate he’s a different horse.
He’s a beast. I’ve been watching him. John Sadler has done a tremendous job with him. He deserves that win the way he handled him. Just a tremendous racehorse. Horses like him, Pharoah, Justify, Arrogate, they don’t come along very often.
I’ve watched him train. I’m sure that John was under a lot of pressure. I’m sure he was like me when he turned for home he probably thought ’I should have gone to more parties this week and enjoyed myself.’ You’re under the gun.
Irad Ortiz jockey of Life Is Good (5th)
I tried to open up two, three lengths on him, but I never could. He was there every step of the way. I’ve never seen anything like that. It’s amazing – he’s an unbelievable horse.
Todd Pletchertrainer of Life Is Good (5th)
Another super impressive performance. He is a very unique horse and from a sheer talent standpoint, he’s as good as I have ever seen.
John Velazquez jockey of Happy Saver (7th)
That’s a race for the history books. People are going to be talking about this race for a long time. I mean all you can say is ’wow’. That horse is definitely a freak of nature. To go like he did today having a fast pace and being able to keep running, it’s one of those few things we see in racing that really impress us. It’s kind of sad that he might be done racing now. It’s hard to see him go away because this is what makes racing exciting.
• Visit the Breeders' Cup website
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