Talented Starspangledbanner Filly Takes Group 3 Sprint

Friday saw Group 1 performer Flotus (3f Starspangledbanner - Floriade, by Invincible Spirit) return to winning ways in the Group 3 Summer Stakes at York.

A Listed winner and Group 1 second last season, the daughter of Starspangledbanner sold to Katsumi Yoshida for 1 million guineas in November and was last seen finishing third against the colts in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup. Sent off favourite for Friday’s six furlong feature, Simon and Ed Crisford’s charge was ridden to make all by Silvestre De Sousa and was asked to quicken from two furlongs out. Ridden clear a furlong later, she kept on well to win by a length and three quarters.

Speaking after the race, joint-trainer Ed Crisford said, “She ran a fantastic race at Ascot, finishing third to two very good horses who are running in the July Cup. She did it very easily today, it was a great performance. She's strengthened up and is a lot more powerful this year.” On future targets, he commented, “She's getting quicker. Silvestre said five furlongs wouldn't be a problem and she's entered up at Goodwood and the Nunthorpe, so we'll speak to the owners and make a plan.”

By the in-form Starspangledbanner, Flotus was bred by Newtown Stud and TJ Pabst out of a half-sister to Group 2 performer Travel Datuk (Holy Roman Emperor).