California Flag was a thoroughbred racehorse foaled at Hi Card Ranch on February 19, 2004. He was sired by Avenue of Flags, a son of Seattle Slew, out of the Afleet (a son of Mr. Prospector) mare Ultrafleet.
He was best known for setting a new turf course record in 2008 in the Morvich Handicap and being the only horse to win this race three times: 2008, 2009 and 2011. On November 7, 2009, he got the most important win of his career beating Gotta Have Her in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. California Flag then went to Hong Kong where he finished fifth in the Hong Kong Sprint. He then traveled to Dubai to contest in the new Al Quoz Sprint and was third after just getting overtaken at the wire.
California Flag shared 2009 California Horse of the Year honors with Dancing in Silks.2009 California Horse of the Year at the CTBA In addition, the California Flag Handicap, a non-Listed Black type race for California-bred and sired horses named in California Flag's honor, is held every October at Santa Anita Park.
Post-retirement, California Flag lived at Peacefield Farm in Temecula, California until he passed away in January 2026 at the age of 22. This was stated to be due to old age.
Racing form Date Race Grade Distance Track Odds Field Finish WinningTime Margin Jockey Winner(2nd Place) Ref.2007 – Three-year-old season Apr 15 Maiden Special Weight 6.5 furlongs Santa Anita 5.9 12 5th 1:13.64 lengths Joseph Talamo Asteri May 6 Maiden Special Weight 6 furlongs Hollywood Park 1.0 8 3rd 1:08.99 3 lengths Joseph Talamo Tenga Cat June 2 Maiden Special Weight 6 furlongs Hollywood Park 3.4 14 12th 1:10.87 lengths Victor Espinoza Johnny Eves 2008 – Four-year-old season Feb 11 Maiden Special Weight 1 mile Santa Anita 17.9 11 1st 1:34.59 2 lengths Joseph Talamo (Kalookan Boss) Mar 28 Allowance 1 mile Santa Anita 3.8 8 7th 1:34.28 11 lengths Martin Garcia Sassou Apr 27 Barretts Stakes 7 furlongs Hollywood Park 48.9 14 7th 1:21.88 lengths Joseph Talamo Bestdressed May 17 Allowance 6 furlongs Hollywood Park 7.8 11 10th 1:08.95 11 lengths Victor Espinoza Quick Enough Jul 2 Allowance 6 furlongs Hollywood Park 5.7 7 1st 1:08.50 2 lengths Joseph Talamo (Partywithlarryz) Jul 24 Allowance 1 mile Del Mar 3.2 10 6th 1:33.50 lengths Joseph Talamo Swift Winds Aug 8 Allowance Optional Claiming 5 furlongs Del Mar 1.4 8 1st 0:55.98 Neck Joseph Talamo (Shadow of Illinois) Sep 24 Morvich Handicap G3 6.5 furlongs Santa Anita 22.7 10 1st 1:11.10 3 lengths Joseph Talamo (Get Funky) Oct 25 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint Listed 6.5 furlongs Santa Anita 7.7 15 10th 1:11.60 lengths Joseph Talamo Desert Code Nov 29 Hollywood Turf Express Handicap G3 6 furlongs Hollywood Park 1.7 7 1st 1:08.81 lengths Joseph Talamo (Racketeer) 2009 – Five-year-old season Aug 19 Green Flash Handicap Listed 5 furlongs Del Mar 1.0 8 1st 0:55.22 Neck Joseph Talamo (Delta Storm) Sep 30 Morvich Handicap G3 6.5 furlongs Santa Anita 1.6 10 1st 1:11.40 1 length Joseph Talamo (Get Funky) Nov 7 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint Listed 6.5 furlongs Santa Anita 3.4 14 1st 1:11.28 lengths Joseph Talamo (Gotta Have Her) Dec 13 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint G1 1200m Sha Tin 11.0 14 5th 1:09.16 lengths Joseph Talamo Sacred Kingdom 2010 – Six-year-old season Mar 27 Al Quoz Sprint G3 1200m Meydan 16 3rd 1:09.80 1 length Joseph Talamo Joy and Fun Aug 18 Green Flash Handicap Listed 5 furlongs Del Mar 1.1 8 1st 0:55.58 Nose Mike Smith (Quick Enough) Oct 9 Woodford Stakes G3 5.5 furlongs Keeneland 1.7 11 11th 1:02.30 7 lengths Joseph Talamo Silver Timber Nov 6 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint G2 5.5 furlongs Churchill Downs 18.9 14 8th 0:56.53 lengths Victor Espinoza Chamberlain Bridge 2011 – Seven-year-old season Jul 3 Robert K. Kerlan Memorial Handicap Listed 6 furlongs Hollywood Park 3.5 8 8th 1:08.81 lengths Tyler Baze Gallant Son Sep 7 Pirate's Bounty Stakes Listed 6 furlongs Del Mar 18.6 9 5th 1:08.84 lengths Pat Valenzuela Sterling Outlook Oct 10 Morvich Handicap G3 6.5 furlongs Santa Anita 6.7 8 1st 1:11.91 lengths Pat Valenzuela (Excessive Passion) Nov 5 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint G2 6.5 furlongs Churchill Downs 12.3 14 12th 0:56.48 lengths Pat Valenzuela Regally Ready 2012 – Eight-year-old season Apr 21 San Simeon Handicap G3 6.5 furlongs Santa Anita 5.9 7 1st 1:11.59 lengths Joseph Talamo (Sayif) Nov 3 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint G1 6.5 furlongs Santa Anita 5.9 14 13th 1:11.39 lengths Joseph Talamo Mizdirection
Legend:
+Distance conversionsMetersMilesFurlongs1,0060.6351,1060.695.51,2070.7561,3080.816.51,4080.8871,60918
Pedigree
References California Flag's pedigree and racing stats