Flatterer becomes longest-living Hall of Fame horse

Flatterer, a four-time champion steeplechaser who dominated his division during the 1980s, officially became the longest-living National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Thoroughbred on Feb. 25 at 33 years and 265 days old, passing the longevity standard set by 1943 Triple Crown winner Count Fleet.

According to the Racing Hall of Fame, Count Fleet was 33 years and 264 days old when he died on Dec. 3, 1973. Flatterer was born on June 5, 1979.

Flatterer was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994. He won 24 of 52 career starts and earned $534,854 in his career for owner Bill Pape and trainer Jonathan Sheppard. Pape and Sheppard bred the horse in Pennsylvania. Flatterer took the steeplechase Triple Crown in 1983 when he won the Grand National, Temple Gwathmey, and Colonial Cup. He also set an American record when he carried 176 pounds in winning the 1986 National Hunt Cup. Flatterer won the Eclipse Award as champion steeplechaser in 1983, 1984, 1985, and 1986.

Flatterer, a son of Mo Bay out of the Nade mare Horizontal, resides at Pape’s My Way Farm in Pennsylvania.