Starspangledbanner Filly Lands Listed Sprint

Curragh maiden winner Dickiedooda (2f Starspangledbanner - So Dandy, by Oratorio) confirmed her class when taking the Coolmore Caravaggio Tipperary Stakes at Cork on Sunday.

Shane Foley rode Jessica Harrington’s charge to track the leader and was travelling best when taking the lead two furlongs from home. Ridden out inside the final furlong, she ran on well to win by a length and three quarters. The favourite Grammata claimed runners-up honours, just half a length in front of Chief Little Hawk (Air Force Blue) in third.

Shane Foley expects more to come from the winner, saying after the race, “She's an exciting, fast filly by a very good sire. I think six furlongs will be no problem in time. She's grown a lot since the spring and is growing the whole time.”

Owned by Alpha Racing, Dickiedooda was bred by Mylestown Farms out of So Dandy, a winning half-sister to four black-type performers. The in-form Jessica Harrington stable is no stranger to success with Starspangledbanner, having won last year’s Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes with Millisle (Starspangledbanner).

Dickiedooda was completing a quick double for her sire, with Lord McZie (3c Starspangledbanner - Belesta, by Xaar) having won the five furlong maiden at Dundalk less than an hour before.

Trained by Joseph O’Brien for Phoenix Thoroughbreds, the chesnut was ridden to chase the leaders by Edward Greatrex and was switched left to challenge at halfway. Leading entering the final furlong, he kept on well to win by a length.

A €240,000 purchase at the Arqana breeze-up sale, Lord McZie was bred by Rockhart Trading. He is a half-brother to multiple Stakes winners Assign (Montjeu) and Giuseppe Piazzi (Galileo).