Astute trainer Joseph O’Brien elected to bypass the Group I Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday with exciting filly Star of State in favour of the €316,500 Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales Stakes (6 ½ f) on the same card and was well rewarded for the decision.
By Newgate Farm’s Cox Plate winner State of Rest (IRE), Star of State was a nine length winner at Leopardstown at her second start in July and followed up with a close half length second to Libertango in the Group II Lowther Stakes at York last month.
Sent out a hot favourite for this assignment with Ryan Moore to ride, Star of State showed her class to forge clear and win by two and a quarter length in a big field of 15 runners.
“That's lovely, it was good prize-money and she's a nice filly. It was good to have a nice winner here for Jaber (Abdullah) and she's an exciting filly for the future,” said Joseph O’Brien.
“Libertango just nabbed her late the last day and she's probably the best filly around, so we have to consider the Cheveley Park (G1).
“Today was a nice opportunity with her and we'll discuss it with Jaber and see where they would like to go next with her.
“It's nice to have the State of Rest connection too.”
The best of five winners by State of Rest, Star of State was purchased for €85,000 from the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale by Rabbah Bloodstock from the draft of her breeder Mountarmstrong Stud.
She is the third winner from five foals to race from Group III winning Dark Angel mare Nations Alexander.
A four time Group I winner and the best son of Starspangledbanner, State of Rest will have his first Australian runners this season .
