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 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.
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.
