Newsdate: Wed 02 March 2016 – 2:00 pm
Location: GUELPH, Ontario

Flair LLC, maker of the FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strip, applauds the achievement of equine athletes - across a variety of disciplines - throughout the globe that were protected by FLAIR Strips.

Veterinarian attaching Flair Strips to horse

FLAIR® Strips deliver protection to equine athletes - of all disciplines - worldwide by providing drug-free support and protection to the respiratory system of hard-working equine athletes.
© 2016 by CSU

Thoroughbred champions made their first starts of 2016 winning ones, including Nyquist, winner of the 2015 Breeders' Cup Juvenile as well as the 2015 Eclipse Award for Champion Two-Year Old. Conditioned by Doug O’Neill, Nyquist took his first step towards the Kentucky Derby, when winning the $200,000 San Vicente (GII) at Santa Anita.

Tepin - Breeders' Cup Mile winner and 2015 Eclipse Award-winning Female Turf Horse made her 5-year-old bow in the $150,000 Endeavour Stakes (GIII) at Tampa Bay Downs. Trained by Mark Casse, Tepin cruised to an easy win and appears on her way to a return run in the Breeders’ Cup.

Also trained by Mark Casse, last year’s Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf champion, Catch a Glimpse, kicked off her 2016 campaign when winning the $150,000 Herecomesthebride Stakes (GIII) at Gulfstream Park.

On the international racing front, the first leg of the 2016 South Africa Triple Crown was run Saturday. Top conditioner Mike Azzie saddled Abashiri to a convincing win in the R1 million (GII) Gauteng Guineas.

Also on Saturday, Heaps Of Fun led all the way, when winning the R500 000 Wilgerbosdrift (GII) Gauteng Fillies Guineas at Turffontein. Trained by reigning Trainer of the Year, Sean Tarry, the Summerhill Stud bred was stunning in this, the opening leg of the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara.

Earlier in the week, 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome prepared for the Dubai World Cup, when winning the $150,000 Trans Gulf Electromechanical Trophy at Meydan on Thursday.

Trainer Judd Kearl sits atop the national Quarter Horse trainer standings, after capturing the training title at Hialeah Park on Sunday. With 34 wins from 126 starts, the Kearl barn added an exclamation point when winning 3 of the 6 stakes races on closing day.

In the $204,265 South Florida Quarter Horse Derby, Kearl stable-mates - Carters Sixty Six, and Ec Jet One - battled together to finish in a dead-heat.

The first CIC*, CIC2* & CIC3* events of the year were captured by Eventers who rely on FLAIR Strips to protect their equine athletes. The year’s first CIC* at John Marshall’s Fresno County Horse Park, was captured by FLAIR Team Eventer, Hawley Bennett-Awad. Partnered with OTTB High Duty, she led from start to finish, in dominating fashion.

Also at Fresno, the reigning U.S. National 3* Champion, Tamie Smith wrapped up the first CIC2*, and replicating her Rider of the Year form of 2015. And, this last weekend, Colleen Rutledge produced a dominating performance in winning the inaugural Pine Top CIC3* in wire-to-wire fashion.

Currently ranked #1 atop the 2016 WPRA World Pro Rodeo Standings, Ivy Conrado is well on her way to securing a spot at the NFR later this year. With multiple go-round wins in 11 events thus far, the Hudson, CO native struck gold when capturing the 2016 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo title.

Currently #9 in the WPRA World Standings, FLAIR Western Team member, Michele McLeod, continues her winning ways in 2016. Last week she secured the coveted San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Title. In the WPRA Junior World Standings, FLAIR Western Team members Karsyn Daniels, Laney Robinson & Caitlyn Wood sit atop their respective circuits, namely Texas, Southeastern & California.

Says Flair President Jim Chiapetta DVM JD, “We salute every single horseman and horsewoman who affords their equine athletes the multiple health benefits of FLAIR Strips. By protecting them with a FLAIR Strip -- whether it be during the cross-country phase of a horse trials or before their next race -- these horseman care about the health and safety of their horses.”

About FLAIR Nasal Strips:

FLAIR Strips provide drug-free support and protection to the respiratory system of hard-working equine athletes. FLAIR Strips have been clinically proven to: reduce airway resistance, reduce lung stress and bleeding, reduce fatigue, and shorten post-exercise recovery time. For more information about FLAIR Strips, please visit http://www.flairstrips.com.

About the Science behind FLAIR Strips:  Eight clinical studies have been conducted on FLAIR Strips at leading equine research centers in the United States. Abstracts of clinical studies are available at http://www.flairstrips.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Attachment-A-Study-Abstracts.pdf.