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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Dundalk double for Starspangledbanner

Fri 17th Feb 2023, 19:53

Vanguard Star and Shane CrosseVanguard Star and Shane Crosse
© Photo Healy Racing

Leading stallion Starspangledbanner completed an opening races Dundalk double today as his gelded son Vanguard Star (5/2f) landed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden for trainer Joseph O'Brien.

Carrying the colours of the Thoroughbred Racing Syndicate and ridden by Shane Crosse, the three year old made all in his three and a half lengths win over Almendares 0AO'Brien's assistant Brendan Powell reported "he's got the experience, had decent enough form last year and we decided to let him use his experience today.

“He was a bit keen early and I was wondering whether he would get home, but he stays the trip well and galloped all the way to the line. I'd say there will be more in behind that will come out and win next time and Willie Browne's horse (fourth-placed newcomer Roaming Star looked to be a bit green.”

Starspangledbanner's 2023 stallion fee has increased from €22,500 in 2021, to €50,000 this year, due in part to the success of his O'Brien-trained son State Of Rest, which was a four-time Group 1 winner across four countries last summer.

Quotes from Michael Graham

1st
5/2Fav
Tote €3.50 €1.30
2nd
3.5L
3/1
€1.30
3rd
1.25L
40/1
€12.70
4th
0.5L
4/1
About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.