Flightline Sires First Winner: Demian Scores in Japan

American sensation Flightline sired the first winner of his stallion career when Demian landed a 2-year-old newcomers' race June 13 at Tokyo Racecourse in Japan. The undefeated champion only fielded his first runner June 12 when the Mark Casse-trained Greenwell, owned by Greenwell Thoroughbreds, finished second, beaten 2 lengths while racing greenly at Churchill Downs. Demian, ridden by Damian Lane, went off the second favorite in a 1,400-meter (about 7-furlong) event on the turf and quickened through the field nicely at the end to score by 1 1/4 lengths. "He got off to a smooth start, and when a space opened up in the straight, he showed a good response," Lane said. "I think he had no problem at all with the 1,400 meters on the turf, and we were able to achieve a good victory. I think he's a horse with high potential." Bred in Kentucky by Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds, the colt is out of the Curlin mare Mira Alta and was bought by his owner, Naohiro Sakaguchi, for $1.7 million from the Warrendale Sales consignment at the 2025 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is a closely related half brother to 2021 Peter Pan Stakes (G3) winner Promise Keeper, who is by the Tapit son Constitution. Flightline, an 8-year-old son of Tapit out of the Indian Charlie mare Feathered, has been causing a stir since joining stud in 2023. He was the Longines World's Best Racehorse of 2022, bestowed with a massive 140 rating, matching the mark of the great Frankel (GB). Flightline eclipsed Cigar as the highest-rated United States-trained horse in nearly three decades after Cigar earned a rating of 135 in 1996. Bred in Kentucky by Summer Wind Equine, Flightline debuted at 3 and won all three of his starts in the 2021 season—capped by a victory in the Malibu Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park. At 4, he won his three starts—all grade 1 stakes—by a combined 33 1/2 lengths. He won the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Belmont Park by 6 lengths, the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) at Del Mar by 19 1/4 lengths, and the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland by 8 1/4 lengths. There are 124 potential 2-year-olds to race for Flightline, who opened at $200,000 at Lane's End Farm in Kentucky and has been at $125,000 for the latest covering season. His most high-profile progeny is set to be Zedan, who created a new record at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale at $10.5 million. Zedan is now based on the West Coast with Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. READ: OBS History Shattered When Flightline Colt Sells for $10.5 Million Another Flightline colt by the name of Powerline, trained by fellow Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, is held in high regard in Kentucky, where he has been working swiftly at Keeneland and Churchill Downs. John Oxley and West Point Thoroughbreds bought him last year at Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale in upstate New York for $1.8 million. Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing's House Boat Party, a 2-year-old filly by Flightline, ran third in the sixth race Saturday at Churchill Downs. Additional reporting by Byron King