Champion Australian sire Flying Spur died at Arrowfield Stud on Tuesday night. He was 25.

He had been pensioned six years ago due to fertility issues and signed off like the great Australian Sir Donald Bradman on 99 stakes winners.

“Flying Spur is a very special horse to us,” Arrowfield boss John Messara said. “He is one of the pillars upon which Arrowfield Stud has been built. We bred him, raced him in partnership and had been proud to stand him since 1997.”

A son of Danehill, he was trained by Lee Freedman to win the 1995 Golden Slipper and added the Australian Guineas and All Aged Stakes in 1996.

By arrangement with Chatswood Stud, he stood a debut season in Victoria before returning to the Hunter Valley where he won the Australian first season sire title in 1999-2000. Top-class filly Forensics won the Golden Slipper to help launch his Australian general sires premiership in 2006-07.

His legacy continued this season as the sire of Caulfield Cup hero Boom Time. The Lindsay Park stayer joined fellow Flying Spur Group 1 winners All Time High, Alverta, Casino Prince, Dealer Principal, Inspiration (HK), Juanmo, Magnus, Mentality, Sacred Star, San Luis & Sleek Chassis.

The list of active Flying Spur sire-sons includes Magnus, Primus, Casino Prince, Jet Spur, Mahuta, Krupt, Volitant, etc.

FLYING SPUR