There has been much written about the success of Night of Thunder at Royal Ascot last week, but what about Starspangledbanner!
The Aussie bred son of Choisir, who conquered Royal Ascot back in 2010 when winning the Group I Golden Jubilee Stakes for the Coolmore partners, was in rare form as a sire this year.
Last year he had the Champion European 2YO Colt and Filly in Gstaad and Precise and both were in action at Royal Ascot.
Precise won the Group I Coronation Stakes (1m) and Gstaad was a close second to Bow Echo in the Group I Sir James’s Palace Stakes (1m), while he also only just missed in the Group I Commonwealth Cup (6f).
His flying filly Spicy Marg was beaten a head by Venetian Sun in that Group I sprint for three year-olds.
Quick juveniles have always been a big part of the Starspangledbanner story and he was in the mix in that department with Senorita Bonita finishing second of 27 runners in the Group II Queen Mary Stakes behind the one eyed wonder Victorious.
The Group III Jersey Stakes (7f) for three year-olds very nearly delivered a new stakes-winner for Starspangledbanner when Take Charge Star was beaten a neck by Thesecretadversary.
Starspangledbanner has not shuttled to Australia since 2024, but his best son State of Rest (IRE) is due back at Newgate Farm this spring at a fee of $22,000.
A four time Group I winner in four different countries, Cox Plate winner State of Rest will have his first Australian runners next season.
