Globetrotting State Of Rest Captures Cox Plate

State Of Rest (3c Starspangledbanner - Repose, by Quiet American) prevailed in a thrilling finish to Saturday’s Cox Plate; marking back-to-back Group 1 wins across two continents for the Joseph O’Brien-trained colt.

Last seen landing the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby in August, the Teme Valley Racing-owned bay was partnered by John Allen for the first time at Moonee Valley and raced towards the back of the field for much of the way. Making good headway from two furlongs out, he was shaken up to lead soon after and dug deep under pressure to win by a short head on the line.

“It's just fantastic,” Joseph O’Brien later said. “I'm delighted for the owners, the manager Richard Ryan and Jim Coburn. It was a very special day for all of us.”

Last year’s renewal was won by Irish import Sir Dragonet (Camelot), while Aidan O’Brien provided the last Irish winner in Adelaide (Galileo) in 2014.

State Of Rest was bred by Tinnakill Bloodstock and so impressed were connections with the son of Starspangledbanner, that they purchased his half-sister for £160,000 as a yearling. Tranquil Lady (Australia) has rewarded them with a maiden win and finished second in a Listed race last time out.

State Of Rest’s globetrotting achievements echo those of his sire Starspangledbanner, who captured two Group 1 contests in his native Australia, before transferring to Aidan O’Brien. He went on to win the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, like his sire Choisir before him, and followed up in the Group 1 July Cup.

Starspangledbanner enjoyed a terrific start to this season when Hermana Estrella and Castle Star landed the first two juvenile Group races of the year, and his two-year-olds continued to make their mark when Flotus and Castle Star claimed runners-up honours in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes and Group 1 Middle Park Stakes respectively.