G1 Winning Return for Cox Plate Winner State of Rest

Tara Madgwick - Sunday May 1

Top class stallion State of Rest had his first trip to the races on Sunday since winning last year’s Cox Plate and the Joseph O’Brien trained son of Starspangledbanner emerged triumphant capturing the Group I Prix Ganay (2100m) at Longchamp.

It was the third successive Group I victory for State of Rest following on from his win in the Group I Saratoga Derby Invitational last August and the Cox Plate defeating Anamoe and Verry Elleegant.
 


"That was our main objective for this season, to try and win a Group 1 here," Joseph O'Brien told UK Racing Post.

"Hopefully we'll look for the Tattersalls Gold Cup next back in Ireland."


State of Rest holds entries at Royal Ascot for the Group I Prince of Wales's Stakes and the Group I Queen Anne Stakes, while a second Cox Plate is also in the plans for this year.

"I think you'd have to say that with those ten-furlong races there's a pretty clear path for that type of horse through the summer," said O'Brien.

"He's owned by an Australian Group, Newgate Stud and their partners, so I would say that [Australia] is likely at the end of the season, but hopefully he has some nice targets through the summer in Europe before then."

With four wins and three placings from 10 starts, State of Rest is the best of 23 stakes-winners by Starspangledbanner and is a half-brother to stakes-placed Tranquil Lady from an international family packed with Black Type. His third dam is Champion US 3YO Filly It’s In The Air, who has spawned an impressive dynasty of stakes-winners.

State of Rest won the Cox Plate last year, but the best might still be to come!  - image Grant Courtney

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
King’s Legacy Filly Salutes for Yulong
The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.
Generation Foals Built for Speed
Victorian farm Lovatsville offer a diverse stallion roster for this spring geared to satisfy a wide spectrum of breeder ambitions and if explosive Aussie speed is your thing then Snitzel stallion Generation will fit the bill.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Caulfield
Three barrier trials at Caulfield on Thursday morning produced heat winners for first season sires Wild Ruler and Profiteer with the quickest winner being Free Flying, the half-sister by Snitzel to brilliant Group winning mare Learning to Fly.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 30
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Blueblood Fillies From $3million Mares
Tom Magnier has been notable for his purchase of elite race fillies and broodmares in recent years to enhance the stellar Coolmore broodmare band and two of his $3million plus mare purchases have produced stunning fillies this spring.
New SW Wrote - Fast Network Wins G3 National Day Cup
Trainer Dennis Yip claimed a timely first win of the 2025/26 season, taking out the feature HK$4.2 million Gr.3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) at Sha Tin’s National Day fixture on Wednesday when his stable star Fast Network, a New Zealand bred son of Wrote, blitzed a strong field under Alexis Badel.
NZ Derby Hero Willydoit Primed for Epsom
Last season’s New Zealand Derby hero Willydoit will step back into the spotlight on Saturday when he contests the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick for trainer Ciaron Maher, with jockey Tommy Berry bullish the horse is ready to make his mark over the famous mile.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 1
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
Kiwi Raider Pier Upbeat Ahead of Epsom
Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier.