horse in 1892 and by the end of her second season, she had already earned more in prize money than any other filly. On her retirement it was said that she had been "nothing short of an Idol" with the public. Breeding record As noted above, La Fleche was already in foal when racing in 1894 and produced her first foal, a filly called La Veine by Morion in 1895. In 1896 Maurice de Hirsch died and all his bloodstock, including La Fleche and La Veine were put up for auction. She was sold for £12,600 to Marcus Beresford, acting on this occasion on behalf the Sykes family and was sent to their Sledmere Stud in Yorkshire. Sir Tatton Sykes, who was reportedly horrified by the price, initially refused to acknowledge the mare’s arrival, and left her in a railway box for two weeks before he was persuaded to accept the deal. La Fleche’s best runner was John O’Gaunt, who finished second in the Derby and sired Swynford. Her daughter Baroness La Fleche, by Ladas, produced the 1000 Guineas winner Cinna, who in turn produced the successful stallion Beau Pere. La Fleche was retired from breeding in 1911, and she died at Sledmere in late April 1916 at the age of twenty-seven. Pedigree References 1889 racehorse births 1916 racehorse deaths Racehorses trained in the United Kingdom Racehorses bred in the United Kingdom Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing winners Thoroughbred family 3-e St Leger winners 1000 Guineas winners Epsom Oaks winners