Unbeaten colt The Wow Signal emulated his sire and grandsire at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

The Wow Signal raced close to the pace in the G2 Coventry Stakes (1200m) before Frankie Dettori coaxed his mount into the lead at the 400m pole.  They kept up a strong gallop to score by nearly two lengths from Cappella Sansevero who had changed hands for 1.30 million pounds (AUD 2.34 million) a day before the race.

The winner is by Rosemont Stud stallion Starspangledbanner who won the 2010 Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.  His sire Choisir blazed a trail for Australia at the famous meeting with a running double in the 2003 King’s Stand Stakes and Golden Jubilee Stakes.

“He has come and beaten the best colts available,” trainer John Quinn said.  “He was right there on the speed and deserves a lot of credit.  He could have capitulated but he won going away.”

The Wow Signal (2c Starspangledbanner – Muravka by High Chaparral) had won by 9 lengths on debut at Ayr last month and started equal favourite second-up.  “I was worried about the ground being a bit quick,” Dettori admitted.  “But he showed tremendous courage and is a real good two-year-old.”

A 50,000 pounds (AUD 90,660) buy for Sheikh Joaan at the Ascot 2YO Breeze Up Sale in April, he is the first foal of an unraced half-sister to Irish stakes winner Tolpuddle (College Chapel).

Starspangledbanner encountered fertility problems after he retired to Coolmore Stud.  He was transferred to Rosemont Stud and will cover a restricted book of 50 mares in his second season at the Gnarwarre nursery this year.

THE WOW SIGNAL