A larger-than-life mural for a horse of a lifetime. That's what awaits fans on Santa Anita's Classic Meet opening day, Monday, Dec. 26, as presumptive 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline will be honored with the unveiling of a spectacular mural at the Arcadia, Calif. track.
The mural depicts the undefeated son of Tapit winning last year's Malibu Stakes (G1) by 11 ½ lengths, which served as a precursor to an unforgettable 4-year-old campaign that culminated with an 8 1/4-length triumph in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland Nov. 5.
Unbeaten in six starts, Flightline was retired following his Classic win to stand stud in 2023 at Lane's End in Versailles, Kentucky, but he will be honored for the tremendous racehorse that he was with a Flightline Retirement Celebration on opening day that will include the unveiling of the mural, located directly below Santa Anita's signature façade in the track's Grandstand breezeway.
Last year's Malibu winner will also be feted with a Flightline Print giveaway, as his jockey and trainer, Flavien Prat and John Sadler, will be on-hand to sign a number of prints in front of Santa Anita's Kingsbury Fountain on opening day from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. (PT). (A total of 2,000 prints will be available on a first come, first served basis).
The Flightline mural has been created by renowned muralist Jonas Never, who has also produced a number of other sports-themed murals across metro Los Angeles.
In addition to the Flightline Mural, fans will also be treated to a dynamic color mural celebrating the launch of Santa Anita's newest food venue, Los Caballeros, which now occupies center stage in the Grandstand breezeway and will offer fans fresh tacos and a wide variety of beers at the upcoming Classic Meet.
A dynamic rendering with amazing depth and color, the Los Caballeros mural was conceived and drawn by Ever Galvez, 40, who grew up in nearby Fullerton and graduated with a degree in Traditional Animation from Cal State Fullerton.
“I've been doing murals for the past 15 years and I started doing street painting festivals, all over,” said Galvez on Friday afternoon. “This has been a fun project here at Santa Anita I'm hoping everyone really likes it.”
Galvez also noted that he's created murals not only in the Los Angeles area, but in other states such as Indiana, Oregon and in western Canada as well.
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