Ascot Aim For Starspangledbanner Colt After Stakes Success

Castle Star (2c Starspangledbanner - Awohaam, by Iffraaj) earned a ticket to Royal Ascot when running out a stylish winner of the Listed First Flier Stakes at the Curragh.

The Fozzy Stack-trained colt was narrowly defeated on his first two starts and dropped back to the minimum trip on Monday. Held up by Chris Hayes, the bay made headway from two furlongs out and quickened smartly to lead inside the final furlong, running on to win by a length and three quarters.

Speaking after the race, the winning trainer said, “He did it well and he deserved it. He was a bit unlucky to run into a good horse in a maiden the last day. That's compensation today.” On future plans, he added, “I suppose we could maybe look at the Norfolk for him now. It's six weeks to Ascot and he has plenty of experience now.”

Castle Star continued a fruitful few days for owner/breeders Mrs Gaffney, Mrs O’Loughlin and Mrs Barbara Murphy, with his half-brother Oman (Australia) having won his maiden the previous day.

The son of Starspangledbanner was completing a double on the day for his sire, with Latin Lover (2c Starspangledbanner - Blue Dahlia, by Shamardal) having made all to win his second start at Beverley earlier that afternoon.

Trained by Harry Eustace for Candour House and partner, the bay had made a promising debut over course and distance of five furlongs last month. Bred by Grangecon Holdings, he becomes a fourth individual winner out of the highly-rated Blue Dahlia .