However, he did take part in one of the most famous races of the century, the so-called Great Match between Voltigeur and The Flying Dutchman at York in May 1851. Flatman rode Voltigeur, who had won the Derby, St. Leger and Doncaster Cup the previous year. In the latter race, he had inflicted The Flying Dutchman's only defeat. At York, unlike at Doncaster, he made the running, and held the lead into the straight, but in the final furlong dropped his whip, and The Flying Dutchman pulled ahead to win by a length.