Heys’ mare has a Fun day out in the 2025 Starlight Stakes

Former top sprinter Spieth has been at stud for eight years, but his influence resurfaced at Rosehill when Flying For Fun gave trainer Bryce Heys a memorable win in the Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m).

The mare returned from two Melbourne runs to claim her first stakes race, and for Heys the moment carried added emotional weight.

Flying For Fun is by Spieth, runner-up in both the 2016 Darley Classic and 2017 Lightning Stakes, and out of Vol Prive — a Sebring mare Heys trained and deliberately bought as a broodmare match for his star sprinter.

“It’s funny how racing throws up good stories, and she is a good story,” Heys said.

“We bought her father. We bought her mother off the same farm with a view to sending her to her father.

“Her mum had a lot of ability at home . . . and this is the result.”

Flying For Fun had been competitive in strong spring company, including placings in black type races and a solid run in the Champions Sprint (1200m) behind Giga Kick.

Heys was always keen to target the Starlight Stakes and was rapt to see the plan come off.

“She’s been racing well. Things haven’t gone our way at any start, really,” he said.

“Good horses capitalise on good set-ups, and that’s what she did.”

With a small stable at Warwick Farm, Heys said stakes results in Sydney mean plenty.

The mare may progress to the Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) at Randwick in a fortnight, among several options.