Starspangledbanner Colt Boosts Classic Claims With Smart Stakes Win

Bright Stripes (3c Starspangledbanner – Dutch Rose, by Dutch Art) earned his place in the Irish 2,000 Guineas when running out a taking winner of the Listed Coolmore Stud Paddington Irish EBF Tetrarch Stakes at the Curragh.

The Andy Oliver-trained colt ended last season with a narrow defeat in the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes and stepped up to a mile for the first time on Monday. Ridden patiently by Billy Lee, he with two furlongs to race and began to run on strongly a furlong later. He led inside the final 110 yards and went on to win by a length, with another half a length back to the favourite Samuel Colt (No Nay Never) in third.

“He was very impressive,” said the winning trainer. “Billy switched him off and he really accelerated. He’s in the Irish Guineas and all being well that is where he’ll go next. If he follows last year’s winner (Paddington) I’ll be happy enough with that!”

The Paul Hardy-owned colt was bred by Diomed Bloodstock out of Dutch Rose, who has a two-year-old colt by Calyx yet to run.