Rosemont Stud’s Starspangledbanner added a new Group II winner to his resume overnight in Ireland where promising two year-old filly Aloha Star took out the Group II Airlie Stud Stakes (6f) at The Curragh.
Aloha Star had improved at each of three previous runs and relished the slightly longer trip to score a thrilling last stride win with Chris Hayes in the saddle.
“She has done nothing but improve. She won nicely at Bellewstown and this race went to plan. She was always crying out for that trip and hopefully she can still improve,” Hayes said.
Aloha Star has won two of four starts and was bought for 67,000 euros at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale.
She is the 14th stakes-winner for Starspangledbanner and is the second winner from Zain Art, an unraced half-sister by Excellent Art to stakes-winner Battalion from the family of Group winners Silent Name and Slalom.
Starspangledbanner stands at a fee of $19,800 this spring.
