By Sean Cronin
Aidan O'Brien trainee Gstaad (Starspangledbanner), a 450,000gns Tattersalls December foal and half-brother to G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park Stakes hero Vandeek (Havana Grey), made a winning debut in Saturday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Navan. The 7-1 chance produced a determined effort to deny stablemate True Love (No Nay Never) by 3/4-of-a-length nearing the line in the six-furlong contest.
NOT the finishing order the market expected
450,000gns Starspangledbanner colt , a half-brother to Vandeek, makes a winning start to his career by getting up late on to beat well-fancied stablemate True Love.@Ballydoyle | @coolmorestud pic.twitter.com/DUrnluXRSn
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 17, 2025
1st-Navan, €18,000, Mdn, 5-17, 2yo, 5f 180yT, 1:12.35, gd.
GSTAAD (GB) (c, 2, Starspangledbanner {Aus}–Mosa Mine {GB}, by Exceed And Excel {Aus}), a 450,000gns Tattersalls December foal who was scratched from his intended debut at Naas last week, raced in mid division through halfway in this belated unveiling. Moving forward into second entering the final furlong, the 7-1 chance was relentless in his effort in the closing stages and was ridden out to deny stablemate True Love (No Nay Never) by 3/4-of-a-length in the dying strides. “They are obviously two lovely ones to come here with,” said Ballydoyle's Chris Armstrong. “True Love had a good run at the Curragh and Gstaad had been going nicely at home. It was Gstaad's first time away and Chris [Hayes] was very impressed with him. Once he got him out, he really quickened to the line and I don't think he even got a flick with the stick. Chris said he really quickened and attacked the line. He's a horse with an unbelievable pedigree, is a great physical and, all being well, he is in the [Royal] Ascot mix now. He will come on a lot for it and is one to look forward to.” Gstaad is the latest of six live foals and fifth scorer produced by a granddaughter of Bamieres (Riverman), herself the ancestress of sires Anabaa (Danzig), Key Of Luck (Chief's Crown) and Country Reel (Danzig). Descendants of Bamieres also include G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Always Loyal (Zilzal). The March-foaled bay is a half-brother G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park Stakes hero Vandeek (Havana Grey). Sales history: 450,000gns Wlg '23 TADEWE. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $12,057.
O-Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Maywood Stud (GB); T-Aidan O'Brien.
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