Exciting Filly The Latest Juvenile Winner By Starspangledbanner

Johnny Murtagh described Sheyya (2f Starspangledbanner - Shelannga, by Leroidesanimaux) as ‘exciting’ after the daughter of Starspangledbanner made a winning debut at Leopardstown.

Ben Coen partnered the Aga Khan homebred in the seven furlong maiden and rode the chesnut in touch with the leaders. Making smooth headway into second approaching the final furlong, she was shaken up to lead soon after and kept on well to win by a length.

Speaking after the race, Murtagh said, “Coming here I thought she was a nice kind of filly, she had been working with a couple of our two-year-olds and always showed plenty. Ben was very impressed. He said she travelled really well and quickened up good.”

Starspangledbanner’s juveniles have taken up where last season’s left off, with a host of smart winners in 2021 led by Group 1 performers Castle Star (Starspangledbanner) and Flotus (Starspangledbanner). Last month, State Of Rest (Starspangledbanner) gained his third international Group 1 success in the Prix Ganay, having rounded up his three-year-old season with back-to-back top-level wins in the US and Australia.