Stakes Success Completes Double For Starspangledbanner

Millisle (2f Starspangledbanner - Green Castle, by Indian Ridge) showed she has the attitude to match her talent when battling to land Friday’s Listed Curragh Stakes.

The Stonethorn Stud Farms homebred was impressive when winning on debut in July and next took second at Down Royal. Remaining over the minimum distance, Shane Foley rode her close to the leader, pushing her along from halfway and asked serious questions approaching the final furlong marker. Running on well under pressure, she dug deep to gain the advantage inside the final furlong and won by a length. The previous Stakes-placed Isabeau took second, with the favourite Lil Grey (Starspangledbanner) finishing third.

Commenting after the race, winning trainer Jessica Harrington said, “It's great black type for her at two and especially for Stonethorn Stud Farms. It's an old family that she comes from and she's the last foal out of the mare, so it's an important win.”

Millisle completed a quick-fire two-year-old double on the card for Starspangledbanner, with Chrysalism (2f Starspangledbanner - Song Of The Sea, by Bering) having captured the earlier six furlong contest.

Alan Persse rode the Joseph O-Brien-trained filly to chased the leaders on the far side and improved to lead a furlong and a half from home, pushing the chesnut out to score by two and a quarter lengths.

Persse admired the winner’s professionalism, commenting after the race, “It was only a matter of when to kick, she travelled everywhere and did it nicely.” Bred and owned by Mrs Ann Marie O’Brien, Chrysalism is a half-sister to Ishvana (Holy Roman Emperor), who won the Group 3 Jersey Stakes and finished second in the Group 1 Irish 1,000 Guineas.

Starspangledbanner is enjoying a terrific season with his two-year-olds, having stood for €17,500 at Castle Hyde this year.