Claiborne Farm’s Flatter, a stalwart on its roster for nearly two decades, was euthanized May 9 due to the infirmities of old age, the farm reported May 10. The stallion was 23.
The son of A.P. Indy was a second-generation homebred for Claiborne and prominent owner/breeder Adele Dilschneider out of the Mr. Prospector daughter Praise, making him a full brother to grade 2 winner and notable sire Congrats .
“Flatter was the kind of sire you’d like to have 10 of,” said Bernie Sams, Claiborne Farm Stallion Seasons and Bloodstock Manager. “He was solid and consistent year in and year out. He started at the bottom and worked his way up to being a successful and respected stallion. He was popular among people who bred to race and was a successful commercial sire as well. He will be greatly missed.”
After finishing fourth on debut, Flatter rolled off a four-race winning streak at Churchill Downs, Arlington International Racecourse, and Turfway Park, before finishing third in the Washington Park Handicap (G2). The Steve Penrod trainee was retired after that effort with four wins in six starts and $148,815 in earnings.
Flatter retired to stud at Claiborne in 2004. He has sired 16 crops of racing age that have yielded 692 winners and more than $84.1 million in progeny earnings. He has sired 59 black-type stakes winners worldwide, which include 21 graded/group winners.
Flatter’s best runners are led by West Coast, who was named Eclipse champion 3-year-old colt for 2017 after winning the Travers Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) and Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). He followed in 2018 with runner-up performances in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1), and the Awesome Again Stakes (G1). West Coast retired with more than $5.8 million in earnings.
Other grade 1 winners by Flatter include Flat Out, who won the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) in 2011-12; 2016 Humana Distaff Stakes (G1) winner Taris; Test Stakes (G1) winner Paola Queen in 2016; and, Search Results , who won the Acorn Stakes (G1) and was runner-up in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), both in 2021. Most recently, Search Results won the May 8 Ruffian Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park, two days before Flatter’s death.
“Flatter’s passing leaves a huge hole in all of our hearts,” said Walker Hancock, president of Claiborne. “He was a homebred of ours that was tough as nails until the day he passed. He was a fan favorite and will be sorely missed. We will look for his legacy to continue through his sons at stud.”
Flatter also is the sire of Upstart, a multiple grade 1-placed, grade 2 winner and millionaire who is, in turn, the sire of Zandon, who won this year’s Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and finished third in the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).
Flatter will be buried at Claiborne Farm.