Breeders’ Cup winners bows out after another high-rating performance

Flightline retires one of the greats of American racing with the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (2012m) winner rated the second-highest performer in that jurisdiction in the past 30 years according to trusted ratings systems.

The son of Tapit's jaw-dropping 8-1/4-length win at Keeneland on Sunday morning, Australian time, was awarded a rating of 121 under the Beyer system, having gone 126 when winning the Grade 1 Pacific Classic (2012m) by 19-1/4 lengths in September.

Only Ghostzapper (128) has achieved a higher rating since Beyer figures went public in 1991, meaning his peak performance was considered better than a host of other modern-day superstars, including Triple Crown winners American Pharoah and Justify.

"Flightline posted the second highest Beyer figure in 30 years when winning the Pacific Classic and very nearly backed it up at Keeneland, posting a 121 rating on that scale," Racing And Sports head of handicapping Adam Blencowe said.

"For an easy like-for-like there, Flightline won the Classic at Keeneland in 2:00.05. American Pharoah won the same race, at the same track, in 2:00.07 and was awarded with a Beyer figure of 120 – the best of the Triple Crown winner's career. 

"Form-based ratings models, of which we are more familiar outside of America, will largely concur.

"Racing and Sports Ratings see Flightline running 144 in the Pacific Classic and 139 at Keeneland. American Pharoah was rated 138."

Flightline's Breeders' Cup effort earned a Timeform rating of 141, which followed 143 in the Pacific Classic.

Frankel, the unbeaten British champion, retired with a peak Timeform figure of 147, while Australia's two modern-day greats, Black Caviar and Winx, achieved peak figures of 136 and 134 respectively.