Flatterer (PA)

Flatterer was the most dominant American steeplechaser of the 1980s, winning four consecutive Eclipse Awards from 1983 through 1986.

Inducted

1994

Foaled

1979

Sire

Mo Bay

Dam

Horizontal

Damsire

Nade

Breeder

William L. Pape
Jonathan Sheppard

Owner

William L. Pape

Trainer

Jonathan Sheppard

Career

1982-1987

Earnings

$538,708

Racing Record

51

Starts

Year	Starts	First	Second	Third	Earnings
Year	Sts	1	2	3	$
1982	18	4	2	2	$45845 $45,845
1983	10	6	1	1	$93064 $93,064
1984	9	6	1	0	$120342 $120,342
1985	4	2	1	1	$80290 $80,290
1986	5	4	1	0	$119565 $119,565
1987	5	2	1	1	$79602 $79,602

Biography

Flatterer was the most dominant American steeplechaser of the 1980s, winning four consecutive Eclipse Awards from 1983 through 1986.

Bred in Pennsylvania by owner William L. Pape and Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard, Flatter won four races on the flats as a sophomore in 1982 before switching to jumps the following year as a 4-year-old.

In 1983, Flatterer established himself as America’s top steeplechaser by sweeping the Grand National, Temple Gwathmey, and Colonial Cup en route to his first Eclipse Award.

The following year, Flatterer repeated in the Colonial Cup and added wins in the New York Turf Writers Cup, Delta Air Handicap, and Brook Handicap, earning $120,342 for the year with a record of 6-1-0 from nine starts. He was again recognized as the champion steeplechaser.

In 1985, Flatterer won his third Colonial Cup and second temple Gwathmey to win the Eclipse Award for the third consecutive year. Flatterer’s fourth consecutive Colonial Cup victory in 1986 coincided with his fourth straight Eclipse Award. He also turned in strong efforts in finishing second in both the French Champion Hurdle in 1986 and the English Champion Hurdle in 1987. Flatterer won his final major race, the Iroquois Memorial Steeplechase, in 1987 at the age of 8. He was retired with a record of 24-7-5 from 51 starts and earnings of $538,708.

Flatterer spent his retirement at Pape’s My Way Farm in Unionville, Pennsylvania, where he lived until the remarkable age of 35.

Achievements

Eclipse Award Champion Steeplechase Horse — 1983
Eclipse Award Champion Steeplechase Horse — 1984
Eclipse Award Champion Steeplechase Horse — 1985
Eclipse Award Champion Steeplechase Horse — 1986

Notable

Won the Colonial Cup — 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986
Won the Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase — 1983, 1985
Won the Grand National Steeplechase — 1983
Won the Brook Steeplechase — 1984
Won the New York Turf Writers Cup — 1984
Won the Jaguar Cup — 1986
Won the National Hunt Cup — 1986
Won the Iroquois Steeplechase Handicap — 1987