Son Of Starspangledbanner Completes Group 1 Hat Trick

Accomplished globetrotter State Of Rest (4c Starspangledbanner - Repose, by Quiet American) made a perfect start to his four-year-old campaign when taking the Group 1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp.

Sunday marked the colt’s third consecutive Group 1 win, coming across a remarkable three continents, having captured the Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley last time out, following Grade 1 success in the Saratoga Derby.

Joseph O’Brien’s charge stayed on well at Longchamp to score by three parts of a length, with dual Group 1 winners Sealiway and Skalleti among those chasing the bay home.

Shane Cross did the steering and later commented, “He was able to relax where he was and I was able to commit and win my race when I wanted to.”

The winning trainer added, “That was our main objective for this season, to try and win a Group 1 here. Hopefully we'll look for the Tattersalls Gold Cup next back in Ireland.” Looking further ahead, he said, “He's owned by an Australian Group, Newgate Stud and their partners, so I would say that [Australia] is likely at the end of the season, but hopefully he has some nice targets through the summer in Europe before then.”

Bred by Tinnakill Bloodstock, State Of Rest’s progression bodes well for his half-sister Tranquil Lady (Australia), who won her maiden impressively last season, before finished second at Listed level.