Smart Juveniles Complete Double For Starspangledbanner

Starspangledbanner’s fine run continued on Monday, as Mythology (2c Starspangledbanner - Rely On Me, by Kyllachy) justified favouritism at the Galway Festival to complete a juvenile double for his sire.

The 320,000gns breeze-up buy finished a close third in a Curragh maiden on debut and took second behind a well-regarded type at the same track last time out. Partnered by Dylan Browne McMonagle in the seven furlong maiden, Joseph O’Brien’s charge raced prominently throughout and was ridden to challenge approaching the final furlong. Soon in front, he kept on well to score by two and a quarter lengths.

“Once I wanted to go, I'd plenty of horse there,” the winning rider later said. “I had to work to get out but he's a level above those and he picked up well and won well at the line.”

O’Brien added, “He’d a very good run in the Curragh the last day and also the day before as well. He deserved to get his head in front. He’ll probably go for a Group race in Deauville in two weeks.”

Owned by Coolmore partners with Teme Valley, Mythology was bred by E Smith and Cloneymore Farm.

At Ayr earlier that afternoon, the improving Red Zone Hero (2c Starspangledbanner - Hightime Heroine, by Danetime) got off the mark in the opening maiden over five and a half furlongs.

Michael Bell’s representative shaped with promise last month and took a significant step forward to finish second last time out. Sent off favourite on his third start, he pressed the leader until asserting two furlongs from home and was ridden out to score by two and a quarter lengths under Hollie Doyle. The first two home finished six and a half lengths clear of the field.

Owned by Middleham Park Racing, Turner and Baker, Red Zone Hero holds an entry in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes. Bred by Tommy Stack, he continues a terrific few days for Starspangledbanner, who sired a juvenile Group 3 winner the previous day.