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. 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

DateRaceGradeDistanceSurfaceTrackOddsFieldFinishWinning TimeMarginJockeyWinner (2nd Place)Ref.
2007 – Three-year-old season
Apr 15Maiden Special Weight6.5 furlongsTurfSanta Anita5.90125th1:13.642+1⁄2 lengthsJoseph TalamoAsteri
May 6Maiden Special Weight6 furlongsTurfHollywood Park1.083rd1:08.993 lengthsJoseph TalamoTenga Cat
June 2Maiden Special Weight6 furlongsAll WeatherHollywood Park3.401412th1:10.8710+1⁄2 lengthsVictor EspinozaJohnny Eves
2008 – Four-year-old season
Feb 11Maiden Special Weight1 mileTurfSanta Anita17.90111st1:34.592 lengthsJoseph Talamo(Kalookan Boss)
Mar 28Allowance1 mileTurfSanta Anita3.8087th1:34.2811 lengthsMartin GarciaSassou
Apr 27Barretts Stakes7 furlongsAll WeatherHollywood Park48.90147th1:21.882+3⁄4 lengthsJoseph TalamoBestdressed
May 17Allowance6 furlongsAll WeatherHollywood Park7.801110th1:08.9511 lengthsVictor EspinozaQuick Enough
Jul 2Allowance6 furlongsTurfHollywood Park5.7071st1:08.502 lengthsJoseph Talamo(Partywithlarryz)
Jul 24Allowance1 mileTurfDel Mar3.20106th1:33.503+1⁄4 lengthsJoseph TalamoSwift Winds
Aug 8Allowance Optional Claiming5 furlongsTurfDel Mar1.4081st0:55.98NeckJoseph Talamo(Shadow of Illinois)
Sep 24Morvich HandicapG36.5 furlongsTurfSanta Anita22.70101st1:11.103 lengthsJoseph Talamo(Get Funky)
Oct 25Breeders' Cup Turf SprintListed6.5 furlongsTurfSanta Anita7.701510th1:11.609+1⁄2 lengthsJoseph TalamoDesert Code
Nov 29Hollywood Turf Express HandicapG36 furlongsTurfHollywood Park1.7071st1:08.814+1⁄2 lengthsJoseph Talamo(Racketeer)
2009 – Five-year-old season
Aug 19Green Flash HandicapListed5 furlongsTurfDel Mar1.081st0:55.22NeckJoseph Talamo(Delta Storm)
Sep 30Morvich HandicapG36.5 furlongsTurfSanta Anita1.60101st1:11.401 lengthJoseph Talamo(Get Funky)
Nov 7Breeders' Cup Turf SprintListed6.5 furlongsTurfSanta Anita3.40141st1:11.281+3⁄4 lengthsJoseph Talamo(Gotta Have Her)
Dec 13Cathay Pacific Hong Kong SprintG11200mTurfSha Tin11.0145th1:09.161+3⁄4 lengthsJoseph TalamoSacred Kingdom
2010 – Six-year-old season
Mar 27Al Quoz SprintG31200mTurfMeydan163rd1:09.801 lengthJoseph TalamoJoy and Fun
Aug 18Green Flash HandicapListed5 furlongsTurfDel Mar1.1081st0:55.58NoseMike Smith(Quick Enough)
Oct 9Woodford StakesG35.5 furlongsTurfKeeneland1.701111th1:02.307 lengthsJoseph TalamoSilver Timber
Nov 6Breeders' Cup Turf SprintG25.5 furlongsTurfChurchill Downs18.90148th0:56.534+3⁄4 lengthsVictor EspinozaChamberlain Bridge
2011 – Seven-year-old season
Jul 3Robert K. Kerlan Memorial HandicapListed6 furlongsTurfHollywood Park3.5088th1:08.8113+1⁄2 lengthsTyler BazeGallant Son
Sep 7Pirate's Bounty StakesListed6 furlongsAll WeatherDel Mar18.6095th1:08.842+1⁄4 lengthsPat ValenzuelaSterling Outlook
Oct 10Morvich HandicapG36.5 furlongsTurfSanta Anita6.7081st1:11.911⁄2 lengthsPat Valenzuela(Excessive Passion)
Nov 5Breeders' Cup Turf SprintG26.5 furlongsTurfChurchill Downs12.301412th0:56.4811+1⁄4 lengthsPat ValenzuelaRegally Ready
2012 – Eight-year-old season
Apr 21San Simeon HandicapG36.5 furlongsTurfSanta Anita5.9071st1:11.592+1⁄4 lengthsJoseph Talamo(Sayif)
Nov 3Breeders' Cup Turf SprintG16.5 furlongsTurfSanta Anita5.901413th1:11.399+1⁄2 lengthsJoseph TalamoMizdirection
* Conversion of race distances
MetersMilesFurlongs
1,0060.635
1,1060.695.5
1,2070.756
1,3080.816.5
1,4080.887
1,60918

Pedigree

Pedigree of California Flag (USA), gray or roan gelding, 2004
Sire Avenue of Flags (USA) 1988Seattle Slew (USA) 1974Bold ReasoningBoldnesian
Reason to Earn
My CharmerPoker
Fair Charmer
Beautiful Glass (USA) 1979Pass the GlassBuckpasser
Amerigo Lady
Beautiful SpiritBold Bidder
Baby La
Dam Ultrafleet (USA) 1992Afleet (CAN) 1984Mr. Prospector (USA)Raise a Native
Gold Digger
Polite Lady (USA)Venetian Jester
Friendly Ways
Social Conduct (USA) 1984VigorsGrey Dawn (FR)
Relifordie (FR)
Jostling QueenKnightly Manner
Day O. (Family 9-f)