Dual G1 winner Starspangledbanner, the fastest three-year-old of the season, has had his fee set for the 2010 breeding season at $33,000 (incl. gst).  Currently in Ireland being prepared for a series of Europe’s best sprint races, Starspangledbanner is scheduled to join his sire Choisir as part of the fantastic roster of stallions at Coolmore Australia after his European mission.

Coolmore general manager, Michael Kirwan, has been delighted with breeders’ reception of Starspangledbanner, “The response to the horse has been fantastic. He is a fabulous looking individual which obviously is a huge part of his appeal. We all know what a great racehorse he is and he has Group 1 winners right the way through his pedigree, but a physical appraisal of the horse identifies him a supreme athlete.”

“He is a big, athletic colt with plenty of scope and an abundance of quality. Importantly he is a sound horse, very correct, with a powerful, purposeful walk and he is being supported by a significant number of Australasia’s best breeders with quality mares” added Kirwan.

Having run his rivals ragged in the sire-making Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas over a mile, Starspangledbanner displayed blistering speed to outsprint older rivals in the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate over 1100m to confirm himself as a colt of the highest calibre. Just like his sire Choisir did, he will seek to add to his reputation over the course of the European summer and early feedback coming from trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle stables is that Starspangledbanner has settled comfortably into his new surroundings.

“The horse has made a hugely positive impression on trainer Aidan O’Brien” divulged Michael Kirwan. “It’s no surprise that he has found the change in environment so easy, as he has such a good temperament. His work has been very good and Aidan and the team are very keen on him. It’s all systems go towards the Gr.2 Duke Of York Stakes over 1200m at York on 12th May and then on to Royal Ascot.”