Further Royal Ascot Success For Starspangledbanner

Latin Lover (3g Starspangledbanner - Blue Dahlia, by Shamardal) became Starspangledbanner’s second winner of the 2022 Royal Ascot meeting when leading home a 1-2 for Coolmore sires in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes.

Successful on his second start last season, the Harry Eustace-trained bay returned to winning ways just nine days ago and dropped back to five furlongs on Friday. He raced prominently under Hayley Turner down the centre of the track and was ridden two furlongs from home. Leading inside the final 110 yards, he kept on well to beat Nymphadora (No Nay Never) by half a length.

“You need to be a smart horse to win here,” young Eustace commented after the race. “Latin Lover clearly relishes fast ground and a stiff five furlongs. His best asset is his pace - he was there all the way today.”

Owned by Candour House and partner, Latin Lover was bred by Grangecon Holdings Ltd out of useful sprinter Blue Dahlia, who has a two-year-old full-sister to the winner. Starspangledbanner enjoyed impressive Group 1 success on Wednesday when globetrotter State Of Rest (Starspangledbanner) made all to win the Princes Of Wales’s Stakes.