Starspangledbanner’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint campaign has suffered a setback after going down to Balmont Mast in Ireland.

Balmont Mast (Ire) is a son of Lynward Park sire Balmont and he created a new course record when defeating the Coolmore flag-bearer in the LR Mercury Stakes at Dundalk on Friday.  He clocked 57.35s for 1000 metres and left Starspangledbanner lamenting in fourth place.

Trainer Eddie Lynam now plans an international campaign for Balmont Mast.  “He will be set for the Dubai carnival,” he said.  “But we could go to England first for the Listed Golden Rose Stakes at Lingfield in November.”

Balmont Mast (4g Balmont – Corn Futures by Nomination) was bred by Limestone Stud and Tara Stud in Ireland.  He is a half-brother to Crazee Mental (Magic Ring) who was runner-up in the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes and G2 Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket in 1997.

Balmont (Stravinsky) stood at Tara Stud when on shuttle duties but is now resident at Lynward Park in WA.  He is standing at the Bullsbrook property for a $4,400 (inc gst) fee this year.