Flashing Star
🐎 FLASHING STAR (GB)
Foaled: 13 March 2024 | Sex: Gelding | Colour: Bay
Sire: Rajasinghe (IRE) | Dam: Candescence (GB) (by Power (GB))
Trainer: Mark Walford | Owner: Ursa Major Racing, J Craggs & Partner
Why This Horse?
Flashing Star is a particularly special horse for Ursa Major Racing as he represents a first for the club — our first homebred. That gives him a significance beyond his racing ability and makes watching his development all the more exciting.
By Rajasinghe, a Group-winning two-year-old who won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, and out of the useful sprinter Candescence, Flashing Star has plenty of speed throughout his pedigree. He was bred with sprinting in mind and has already shown natural pace in his first two starts.
Although still very inexperienced, he has shown enough to suggest there is ability there. His debut at Beverley was understandably green, while his second start at Newcastle saw him show much more early speed by taking the race along.
For us, though, Flashing Star is about more than just his form figures. He is the first horse bred by Ursa Major Racing, and seeing him develop from a young foal into a racehorse is something we are incredibly proud of.
🏇 Racing Profile
Flashing Star has had just three starts to date, both over 5f.
On debut at Beverley, he was sent off favourite but was clearly inexperienced. He took a keen hold and raced greenly before staying on late, finishing sixth. Despite the result, there were encouraging signs that he possessed plenty of natural ability.
He returned at Newcastle in a competitive Class 2 novice and showed a different side of himself, going forward and leading the field. He travelled well for much of the race before being headed over a furlong out and weakening late.
With only thee races behind him, Flashing Star remains very much an unexposed youngster. He has already shown speed and the ability to compete at a useful level, and further experience should see him improve.
🏠 Training
Flashing Star is still a young horse with plenty of learning to do. His first three starts have shown a noticeable difference in his racing experience, and that is something we are keen to build on.
He has natural pace and has shown enough at home to give the team plenty of encouragement. His debut at Beverley showed he was still green, while his second start at Newcastle saw him travel much more confidently and show his speed by leading the field.
The priority now is allowing him to strengthen and mature while gaining valuable experience. As our first homebred, there is naturally plenty of excitement around his development, but there is no need to rush him. We want to give him every opportunity to fulfil his potential.
🧬 Pedigree Highlights
Flashing Star is by Rajasinghe, a son of Choisir who was an exceptionally smart two-year-old. Rajasinghe won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Group 2 July Stakes, establishing himself as a high-class juvenile with plenty of speed.
His dam, Candescence, is by Power and was a useful sprinting mare herself. She won over 5f and 6f and, importantly, won on debut as a two-year-old.
The pedigree therefore has a strong emphasis on speed, precocity and two-year-old ability on both sides. Rajasinghe provides the high-class juvenile form, while Candescence brings proven sprinting ability from the dam's side.
For a young horse who is already showing natural pace, it is an exciting pedigree to have — and one which should give Flashing Star plenty of options as his career develops.
🌟 Looking Ahead
There is still plenty for Flashing Star to learn, but that is part of the excitement. He has only had two runs, has natural speed and has plenty of physical and mental development still ahead of him.
As our first homebred, every step of his journey will be a particularly special one. We are looking forward to giving him the time and opportunity to develop into the racehorse we believe he can become.
Our first homebred. A horse with a story already — and hopefully plenty more chapters to come.
