Back in 2009, exciting Choisir colt Starspangledbanner claimed the first of his four G1 victories when taking out the MRC Caulfield Guineas and in Ireland over the weekend he achieved something remarkable in siring the winners of both the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas!
The Aidan O’Brien trained colt Gstaad was the first to salute taking the colts edition at The Curragh by three lengths as favourite with Ryan Moore in the saddle.
He finished last season winning the Group I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and was second on his return in the Group I Newmarket 2000 Guineas to Bow Echo and is now primed for a rematch with that colt at royal Ascot in the Group I St James’s Palace Stakes (1m).
“You never know how long they'll last when they're racing at that level (G1), but he lasted to America and then won very easily first time over a mile. It's lovely to have a horse where it doesn't matter if they go fast or slow as he's happy to go along and if the pace is on then he's happy to sit in,” said Aidan O’Brien.
“He's a very solid, big horse. We always thought he'd end up getting even a little bit further than a mile. We always thought he could turn into a Cox Plate horse but there's a lot of water to go under the bridge before then.”
Starspangleedbanner has already sired a Cox Plate winner in State of Rest (IRE), whi shuttles to Newgate Farm and has his first Australian bred yearlings selling this year.
Gstaad was bought for 450,000 guineas at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale by MV Magnier from his breeder Maywood Stud.
The Champion European 2YO Colt of 2025, Gstaad is a half-brother to 2023 Champion 2YO Colt Vandeek, who covered 151 mares at Arrowfield Stud last spring and is slated to return at a fee of $22,000.
He is the second stakes-winner among six winners from Mosa Mine, a placed Exceed and Excel mare from the family of Group I winner and Group I sire Anabaa.
Aidan O’Brien struck again in the Irish 1000 Guineas with high class filly Precise, the Champion European 2YO Filly of 2025.
A two time Group I winner last year, Precise travelled to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies race, but was scratched from that assignment and then was beaten into seventh when returning in the Group I Newmarket 1000 Guineas won by her stablemate True Love.
True Love was favourite for the Irish 1000 Guineas with Ryan Moore to ride, while Wayne Lordan had the task of partnering Precise, who was having none of that second fiddle scenario and bolted past her rivals like they were tied to the fence.
Precise raced clear to win by two and a half lengths taking her overall record to five wins from seven starts.
“It was an even pace, but Wayne said when he started to move and put her into top gear, she just took off and said she ran through the line,” said Aidan O’Brien.
“We came here thinking it was possible she could go back to Epsom (Oaks) in two weeks if the lads decide to do that. It would be very exciting and another very difficult decision for Ryan, as Amelia Earhart is in there and favourite.
“Will Precise get a mile and a half… You don't know until you try it, but she's out of a Galileo mare [Way To My Heart] with a lot of stamina in her pedigree, so there's every chance she would even though she's by Starspangledbanner. It's exciting and I'm delighted for everybody.”
A homebred for the Coolmore partners, Precise is the first stakes-winner among three winners from placed Galileo mare Way to My Heart, a sister to stakes-winner Kingfisher from stakes-winner Mystical Lady.
Precise and Gstaad are among 10 Group I winners for Starspangledbanner, who stands at Coolmore Ireland at a fee of €60,000.
