Royal Ascot Goal for Starspangledbanner Filly

Tara Madgwick - Saturday May 17

A Royal Ascot hero back in 2010, Starspangledbanner is well known for his slick juveniles and produced one at York overnight in the UK where Secret Hideaway won the Listed Marygate Fillies Stakes (5f).

Trained by Adrian Keatley and ridden by PJ McDonald, Secret Hideaway improved on her debit second at Ripon last month to power home and win by half a length.

“I ran her at Ripon to educate her on the undulations over a sharp five furlongs. She'll have no bother staying six furlongs, maybe even seven in time,” said Adrian Keatley.

“She will improve loads as the year goes on. I'll speak to the owners and Royal Ascot is the obvious place to go, either the Queen Mary or the Albany. She has a brilliant temperament, she's very laid back.”

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Bred by Summerhill Bloodstock and raced by Mrs Paul Shanahan, Secret Hideaway is the second winner and first stakes-winner from stakes-placed Acclamation mare Ejaazah, a daughter of Group III winner English Ballet, who is a sister to Group I French Oaks winner Star of Seville.

Starspangledbanner is not coming to Australia this year.

Secret Hideaway is the 51st stakes-winner for Starspangledbanner, who remains on the Coolmore roster in Ireland at a fee of €45,000.

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