Starspangledbanner Colt Impresses In Marble Hill Stakes

Castle Star (2c Starspangledbanner - Awohaam, by Iffraaj) produced another impressive performance to land Saturday’s Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes in comfortable fashion at the Curragh.

Second on his first two starts, the Fozzy Stack-trained colt lost his maiden tag in the Listed First Flier Stakes earlier this month and was sent off second favourite as he stepped back up to six furlongs. The bay was last as the field passed the three furlong marker and needed little encouragement from Chris Hayes to quicken into the lead, striding on well to win by two lengths.

The Coventry Stakes are possibilities for Castle Star, who is owned and bred by Mrs T Gaffney, Mrs Treasa O’Loughlin and Mrs Barbara Murphy. He and stablemate Hermana Estrella (Starspangledbanner), who recently won a Group 3 on debut, head a fantastic start to the season for Starspangledbanner, who sired another impressive winner at Goodwood earlier that afternoon.

Flotus (2f Starspangledbanner - Floriade, by Invincible Spirit) was the subject of strong market support for the six furlong fillies’ maiden and raced towards the back of the field under Silvestre De Sousa. Making rapid headway from three furlongs out, she led passing the two furlong pole and raced clear to win by four lengths and three quarters.

Ed Crisford, who trains Flotus in partnership with his father Simon, later said, “She went through the gears very easily and it was a really nice performance. When you win like that, you justify going to Royal Ascot and I think we'll be heading to the Albany all being well. She's very professional, and always has been, with a fantastic mind.”

Bred by Newtown Stud and TJ Pabst, Flotus sold for 125,000gns as a yearling and races for J-E Duboi, B Kwok and E Babington.