An imported son of Starspangledbanner, Godolphin’s Home Of The Brave (IRE) broke through the $1 million barrier in earnings with a fighting win in Saturday’s Group III Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington.
The third leg of a treble for Damien Oliver, Home Of The Brave sat close to the lead as the field headed down the outside fence down the straight.
The 9yo gelding came clear in the closing stages to defeat Great Again (Viscount) by three-quarter of a length with Game Keeper (Fastnet Rock) a long-neck back in third.
It was a fifth win in the feature for Oliver.
“He’s nine now so obviously he’s not getting any better but he’s holding his form," Oliver told Racing.com.
"He was well placed today, the reduction in the weights, and he’s got good form down the straight and the soft conditions, too. Everything went perfect today."
Home Of The Brave (IRE) made his Australian debut in this race two years ago. He finished second that day after which he travelled to Sydney to defeat D'Argento and Trapeze Artist in the Group II Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill.
He went winless in 12 starts since.
(Read a comprehensive review of the Home Of The Brave Story here).
Purchased by Flemington Bloodstock Agency for €80,000 at the 2013 Arqana August Yearling Sale, Home Of The Brave (IRE) raced for a syndicate that included David Moodie and Troy Corstens and proved a terrific money spinner in Europe before being sold to Godolphin.
He is the best of three winners out of the Beat Hollow mare Blissful Beat who is a half-sister to a pair of Group III winners in Suggestive (Reprimand) and Rasgbag.
Suggestive, like Home Of The Brave (IRE), won the Group III Criterion Stakes at Newmarket while his brother Rashbag won the Group III Prix de Conde at Longchamp.
Winner of the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas and Group 1 Oakleigh Plate in Australia and the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes and Group 1 July Cup in Europe, Starspangledbanner returned from Ireland to stand at Rosemont Stud in 2020 where he commands a fee of $19,600.
