1998 Gr1 Rothmans July Handicap, Classic Flag, David Ferraris, Anthony Delpech (photo: Gold Circle)
The passing recently of the much loved SA Horse Of The Year and July winner Classic Flag was carried in an editorial ‘Can’t Beat A Classic’.
Alan Ferraris has written to the Sporting Post to say that, while he enjoyed the article, there was one error in the storyline – Classic Flag’s dam actually belonged to him.
He writes:
I ran my father’s Karoo farm in Middelburg, Cape from 1986 to 1991. In that time we bred a few decent horses amongst others Eaton Lad, and one year had 100% winners from runners.
Anyhow the relationship ended, as do many, when it comes to my “not so easy to get on with father Ormond”
When we parted company I took my mares with me and approached Peter Blythe to stand the mares ( all of two) in exchange for their first foal, which I would own and thereafter Peter would take ownership of the mares.This duly happened and Classic Romance’s foal Silmarillion I kept. Mike de Kock trained him for me but true to life he never won a race. The next foal out of Classic Romance was Peter Blythe’s and it was Classic Flag. I had faith in the mare and would have loved to buy him back as he went for R20 000 on the sale, but I was unable to do it due to financial restraints at the time.
The rest of the story is history. The sad part of the story is that I have not spoken to my father in over 27 years and he does not know his grandchildren or even the fact that he has a great grandchild. Such is life.
Ed – our thanks to Alan for taking the time and trouble to set the record straight.
