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The winning price of $4.6 million gives the son of multiple leading sire Tapit a staggering $184 million valuation. At the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale in Lexington, Kentucky on November 7, 2022, Freddy Seitz purchased an interest in Flightline for $4.6 million on behalf of an unnamed bidder, just two days after Flightline set a new record in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (Gr.1) at Keeneland. Flightline has been retired to the farm in Lane's End. With this winning price of $4.6 million, the son of multiple leading sire Tapit is now worth an incredible $184 million.
"He was excited about this horse and just wanted to make a big splash," Seitz said. "He's dealt with some nice horses in the past, but nothing like this horse. I'm not sure any of us have ever dealt with a horse like this."
On November 6, after an unblemished career in which he won six races and over $4.5 million, Flightline announced his retirement from racing. In addition to his victory in the Classic, Flightline won the TVG Pacific Classic Stakes, the Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap, and the Runhappy Malibu Stakes all races that have a grade 1 rating.
Terry Finley, CEO, and president of West Point said it was amazing to see the plan come together as the horse did his part on the track and interest soared on what he said would be the only share in the new stallion on the market. Finley said that scarcity, and the marketing of the horse, helped make the sale a massive success. It did not take long Monday to see that the horse had connected with potential buyers. After an initial bid of $500,000, a flurry of shouts sent the price past $1 million in the time it took to recognize the first bid. From there, bids increased by $100,000 on each nod. Applause then filled the pavilion and all eyes focused on Seitz.
The new buyer now owns 2.5% of Flightline, with West Point holding 15%, Kosta, Stephanie, and Pete Hronis' Hronis Racing holding 37.5%, and breeder Jane Lyon of Summer Wind Equine holding 25%. Both Woodford Racing and Siena Farm's Anthony Manganaro own 10% each. The successful bidder will become a co-owner of the 4YO with all the privileges and responsibilities it entails under the terms of the syndicate agreement, including access to mating seasons and a proportional share of breeding money. The inaugural collaboration was created when West Point purchased Flightline from the Lane's End consignment at the 2019 Saratoga Sale for $1 million. Flightline is out of the Indian Charlie mare Feathered. Somewhat dependent on Monday's value, a stud price for Flightline will be disclosed in the coming days. Farish remarked that the syndicate was already established apart from this given portion. On a beautiful afternoon in Lexington, the horse that had first captivated Finley's attention at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga and then sent his spirit soaring with record-breaking races kept the excitement coming.