La Fleche (horse)

La Fleche
La Fleche in training circa 1892
Sire	St Simon
Grandsire	Galopin
Dam	Quiver
Damsire	Toxophilite
Sex	Mare
Foaled	1889
Country	United Kingdom
Colour	Brown
Breeder	Royal Studs
Owner	Maurice de Hirsch
Trainer	John Porter Richard Marsh
Record	24: 16-3-2
Earnings	£35,495
Major wins
Molecomb Stakes (1891) Champagne Stakes (1891) 1000 Guineas (1892)) Epsom Oaks (1892) Nassau Stakes (1892) St Leger (1892) Lancashire Plate (1892) Cambridgeshire Handicap (1892) Ascot Gold Cup (1894) Champion Stakes (1894)

La Fleche (1889–1916) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. After being sold for a world record price as a yearling in 1890, she was undefeated as a two-year-old in 1891, winning races against her own sex and defeating some of the year's leading colts. She went on to become the dominant British three-year-old of 1892, claiming the Fillies’ Triple Crown by winning the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, the Oaks at Epsom and the St Leger at Doncaster. Her only defeat of the year came when she was beaten when starting favourite for the Epsom Derby.

La Fleche remained in training for a further two seasons, winning important races such as the 1893 Liverpool Autumn Cup, the 1894 Ascot Gold Cup, and the Champion Stakes on her final appearance. In all, she won sixteen times in twenty-four racecourse appearances. After her retirement from racing she became a successful and influential broodmare.

La Fleche (French for The Arrow), a brown mare standing just under 16 hands high was bred by the Royal Studs at Hampton Court and was foaled on 10 March 1889. She was an exceptionally well-bred and "beautiful" filly and attracted much attention when she was sent to be auctioned as a yearling on 28 June 1890 at the Bushey Paddocks. She was bought by Lord Marcus Beresford on behalf of the financier Baron Maurice de Hirsch for a sum of 5,500 guineas, outbidding the Duke of Portland and John Porter and breaking the record for a yearling sold at auction, which had stood since 1876.