Maiden Success Comes Easily To Starspangledbanner Colt

Stuart Williams looks to have a progressive two-year-old on his hands in the shape of Golden Dragon (2c Starspangledbanner - Emerald Cutter, by Henrythenavigator), winner of Monday’s five furlong maiden at Windsor.

The Happy Valley Racing & Breeding-owned colt showed signs of inexperience on debut earlier in the month, when he raced over six furlongs. Showing more confidence on his second start, the bay tracked the leaders and led from two furlongs out under James Doyle. Shaken up entering the final furlong, he ran on well to score by a length and a quarter, with another three and a quarter lengths back to the third horse.

Golden Dragon was sold by breeder Morna McDowall at the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale for 70,000gns. He continues an excellent season for his sire Starspangledbanner and becomes the first winner out of his dam, an unraced half-sister to Graded performer Holiday Stone.