Flintshire back in winner's circle with Sword Dancer triumph

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Approximately 40 minutes before the Travers Stakes, Flintshire turned in a world-class performance by running away with the Grade 1, $1 million Sword Dancer by 2 1/2 lengths.

Over the last year, Flintshire has finished second in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to Treve, second in the Breeders' Cup Turf to Main Sequence, first in the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin, and second in the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic. He came into the Sword Dancer off a second to the two-time Arc de Triomphe winner Treve in the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud.

A 5-year-old Juddmonte Farms homebred by Dansili, based in France with trainer Andre Fabre, Flintshire came into the Sword Dancer with earnings of $5.3 million but in need of a win.

"It was hugely important for him to succeed like this," said Teddy Grimthorpe, the racing manager for Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms.

Flintshire now will be pointed for his third run in the Arc de Triomphe on Oct. 4, according to Grimthorpe. The BC Turf at Keeneland also will be considered for him.

"This horse is at his best over firm ground and at 1 1/2 miles," Grimthorpe said. "His races will be ground dependent in both cases.”

Flintshire will be flown back to Europe next week. The Sword Dancer was a Breeders' Cup Win and You're In race and Flintshire earned a fees-paid berth in the Turf.

At the start of the Sword Dancer, the two European entrants, Flintshire and the Germany-based Guardini, both broke slowly. Guardini was rank and looped the field from the outside to make the lead. Jockey Vincent Cheminaud moved Flintshire up into contention in fourth position along the inner rail. With the temporary rail on the inner course having been taken down the night before, the ground along the inside was in superior condition.

Guardini set fractions of 24 seconds, 48.74, 1:13.51, and 1:37.66 while being pursued by Imagining and War Dancer. Nearing the stretch, space opened inside Guardini, and Cheminaud sent Flintshire through. In a matter of seconds, he bounded to a clear lead, and the race was over.

Red Rifle rallied after Flintshire in the stretch and was second best, finishing 3 1/4 lengths ahead of Twilight Eclipse.

Flintshire paid $4 as the favorite in the eight-horse field. He completed 1 1/2 miles in 2:23.77, covering his final quarter-mile in 22.30 seconds.

"He was a little bit slow away," Cheminaud said. "Andre Fabre told me before the race to keep his position and to remain calm. Nearing the stretch, the horse in front of me went right a little bit, and I sent him through."

Cheminaud, 21, is a champion jump jockey in France, and Fabre has been riding him on the flat this season, with their biggest win coming in the French Derby.

Grimthorpe said Flintshire is a special horse to his connections because he is Juddmonte-bred top and bottom.

"He is a wonderful stallion prospect," Grimthorpe said. "He is a remarkable horse, unbelievably consistent, and tough and sound. He has traveled all around the world and performed well."

Flintshire does not race on Lasix.

"If he returns for the Breeders' Cup, he will not race on Lasix," Grimthorpe said. "Andre does not race any of his horses on Lasix. He says they do not need it."