Storm Flag Flying dies at 16

The champion Storm Flag Flying, who was a third-generation Breeders' Cup winner for her remarkable family, died Friday at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., due to foaling complications after delivering a Candy Ride filly. The Storm Cat mare was 16.

Storm Flag Flying was foaled, raised, and spent her broodmare career at Claiborne Farm for the Phipps Stable. The mare hailed from the family launched by unbeaten champion Personal Ensign, who concluded her career with a victory in the 1988 Breeders' Cup Distaff at Churchill Downs. The mare went on to produce three Grade 1 winners and several additional stakes performers and producers. Her first daughter was My Flag, the winner of the 1995 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Belmont Park.

My Flag went on to become a multiple stakes producer in her own right, with her progeny led by Storm Flag Flying, who turned in her best campaign as a juvenile. She won the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes and Grade 1 Matron Stakes before capturing the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Arlington Park, securing a divisional Eclipse Award.

Storm Flag Flying went on to win or place in another eight graded stakes events – including, as a 4-year-old, a victory in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes, the race named for her granddam. She also finished second in that year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff, retiring with seven wins from 14 starts and earnings of more than $1.9 million.

As a broodmare, Storm Flag Flying is the dam of two winners from five starters to date. She is the dam of Strident, a 2-year-old colt by Street Cry.

Storm Flag Flying will be buried at Claiborne Farm.