Last of the flying ‘Banner

The news that Aidan O’Brien’s high class sprinter Starspangledbanner will not contest next week’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint seems likely to signal the end of the career of a horse who illuminated the British sprint division in 2010 having previously proved himself a top class performer in his native Australia, writes Elliot Slater.

No reasons were given by the Ballydoyle team for the son of Choisir missing the showpiece US event, but stallion duties in Australia await their charge and after a busy season in Europe, and it would appear that connections believe he has already proved enough to breeders to ensure he will be much in demand at stud.

A Grade 1 winner at both six furlongs and a mile in Australia, Starspangledbanner joined O’Brien earlier this year with a big reputation, and after appearing a little ring-rusty but showing plenty of speed on his British debut at York in May behind Prime Defender in the Duke of York Stakes, he put up a stunning effort when making every yard of the running to leave 23 rivals toiling in his wake in the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Three weeks later he proved to those looking at racing tips his Ascot run no fluke when staying on bravely in a tremendous duel with the smart Equiano to land the Group 1 Darley July Cup to confirm himself the top sprinter in Europe. The drop back to the minimum trip of five furlongs for the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York in August was always going to be a challenge to a horse who had won at the highest level over a mile, and in finishing a running-on second to Sole Power most observers were impressed with the versatility of the ex-Australian powerhouse.

Possibly feeling the effects of his Nunthorpe exertions, Starspangledbanner was a below-par fifth to Markab in the Haydock Sprint Cup two weeks later, the last time he was seen in action, but his performances at both Royal Ascot and Newmarket in mid-summer will ensure that O’Brien’s latest top notcher won’t be forgotten in a hurry.