Speedy Starspangledbanner Filly Impresses On Curragh Debut

Cheerupsleepyjean (2f Starspangledbanner - Time Will Tell, by Wootton Bassett) was last to challenge, but first to finish when running out a smart winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race at the Curragh on Saturday.

The Fozzy Stack-trained newcomer was held up in the early stages of the five furlong contest and was travelling well under Chris Hayes as her rivals came under pressure. Pushed along when leading a furlong out, she ran on well to win by two and a quarter lengths, ears pricked.

Fozzy Stack has plenty to dream about with his juvenile winner and said after the race, “Cheerupsleepyjean had been working well. She is a fast filly and I think six is as far as she will ever get. We might come back here for a Listed race in a couple of week’s time and we'll think about Ascot then.”

Owned by Mrs Paul Shanahan, Mrs MV Magnier and Mrs T Stack, Cheerupsleepyjean is the first foal bred by Xavier Malaviolle out of Time Will Tell (Wootton Bassett). She comes from the family of another top-class sprinter in Anthem Alexander, who flew the flag for Starspangledbanner’s superb first crop when winning the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.