From ATR Multiple Group One-winning sprinter Starspangledbanner could be set for a surprise return to training due to fertility problems at stud. The six-year-old won twice at the highest level in his native Australia and also produced his best in the northern hemisphere after joining Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle, winning the Golden Jubilee Stakes and the July Cup in 2010. He was retired at the end of that season to join the Coolmore Stud roster and his first crop of foals hit the ground this spring. However, it transpires his racing days may now not be over. Coolmore said on Twitter: "Due to ongoing fertility issues which have not improved as much as hoped, it was decided not to shuttle Starspangledbanner this year. "A decision on his future will be made later this month, but it is possible that he may go back into training at Ballydoyle
don't get me started. this horse is now worthless to Coolmore they'll probably ****ing eat him or something
Will be ridden by JOB go off a 30/100 favourite and will be given to much to do in the final few furlongs and get turned over by a 20/1 shot
Gentlemen. We need some serious perspective here. What happened to George Washington was regrettable but his retirement to stud, infertility issues, and return to the racetrack had nothing to do with it. Starspangledbanner is 6 years old for goodness sakes. Retirement? Seriously? There is absolutely no reason not to continue his racing career. He was the best sprinter on these shores when he retired, and there is no reason why he can't be again. He also ran like he wanted at least 6f, despite the ludicrous furlong time rumours emanating from Ballydoyle, so he could easily be worth trying up in trip. He is perfectly capable of racing for at least another couple of seasons. As for this season, there is little (no) chance he will be back in time for Royal Ascot but the July Cup must be their target with him I would have thought. They should be ok to get him ready for then with a smooth run. On a less serious note . . . Chop his bollocks off and get him in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
George Washington should never have run on the ground and I refuse to believe that he would have had he still been a stud prospect at that point. I agree though there is no reason why Starspangledbanner cannot be competitve in the sprint group 1s because I don't think there is a standout sprinter in this continent. Sometimes horses who have had a go at stud don't quite return to the level they had shown before. George Washington a prime example.
Good Lord..no wonder there are fewer and fewer contributions on here every day. Decent perspective Zen.
Must say lads I really do hope he comes out of retirement. He is hardly old and was one of my fav horses in training. I understand what happened to George Washington but they really did love that horse and I think O'Brien sort of accepts he should never have run at the BC on that sloppy mess.
GGW is right it's difficult to go back into racing after a spell at stud. They never reach the same level of performance. Maybe he will, but after putting on lots of weight it's going to be difficult to get back.
When a horse has been out of training for so long it's usually very difficult to get them back to there best, however if he is no use to then at stud then they may aswell race him. I know a few of you are against the idea because of George Washington, but that incident was just a one off on a dirt track, I don't see Starspangledbanner going over to Churchill Downs. Just run him in the turf sprints over here
There is nothing to say that his fertility issues won't resolve themselves. Unlike GW and KN, SSB has already completed a year at stud - his first foals are on the ground this year - so it could be a temporary blip. SELKIRK lost his fertility for a season a few years ago, after receiving a well-aimed kick to his nether regions. After rest and monitoring it gradually returned to the levels you would expect in a horse of his age.
