Breed the best to the best and hope for the best.  On that premise, matings don’t come much more exciting than that of Melbourne Cup legend Makybe Diva and Coolmore Stud’s champion sprinter Starspangledbanner.

“Makybe Diva is entitled to be considered the greatest racemare in the history of Australian racing and naturally we are delighted that she is returning to us again to be bred to Starspangledbanner,” Coolmore Stud manager Peter O’Brien said on Thursday.

“We have enjoyed a strong relationship with Tony and Deslee Santic and, as breeders of Starspangledbanner, it was inevitable they would want to patronise him with some nice mares.

“In terms of profile, they don’t come any better than Makybe Diva”.

O’Brien also reported Starspangledbanner’s dam Gold Anthem foaled a lovely colt by Fastnet Rock on August 26.

Starspangledbanner is the fourth member of his sire line to stand at Coolmore Australia following in the footsteps of his sire Choisir, Danehill Dancer and Danehill.

Starspangledbanner is currently serving his first southern hemisphere book at Coolmore Australia at a fee of $44,000 (inc gst).