Best On Breeding

Mark Smith - Friday April 28

With Rosemont Stud relying on the impressive Justify (USA) filly Legacies in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, it has freed up Rosemont’s Starspangledbanner filly Treasurway to claim a long overdue win in the Group III Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.

Trained by Jason Warren, Treasurway has finished third in her five starts. The last three have come in black-type races, and she was luckless in the previous two,  the Group III TBV Thoroughbred Breeders at Flemington and the $1,000,000 The Showdown at Sandown.

The Group III Breeders’ Stakes has a rich heritage, but it is doubtful it will see a return to the glory days of the 1960s.

Pago Pago won the feature in 1963, his sister Lady Pompilia in ‘64, Tobin Bronze in ‘65, Storm Queen in ’66, and Manihi in ’67.

Still, it carries the all-important Group status and would provide a welcome return home to Coolmore’s prodigal son Starspangledbanner.

Starspangledbanner returns to Coolmore this spring (image Mark Smith)

It is incredible to the extent Starspangledbanner has outperformed in the northern hemisphere. All six of his Group 1 winners were conceived in Ireland. To rub it in, some of those Irish-breds have performed at the highest level in Australia.

Advertisement

Newgate Farm’s State Of Rest (IRE) defeated Animoe and Verry Elleegant in the WS Cox Plate, adding Australia to his list of conquests that saw him win at the highest level in England, America, and France.

Starspangledbanner’s son Home Of The Brave (IRE) towelled up D’Argento, and Trapeze Artist in the Group II Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill and California Spangle (IRE) has cemented his place among the elite in Hong Kong.

It would be no exaggeration to say that Rosemont’s Anthony Mithen rescued the stud career of Starspangledbanner, so he deserves to reap the rewards.

Treasurway makes up plenty of ground from last behind the impressive Shesallshenanigans in The Showdown

 

Treasurway is a pure Rosemont product - the first foal of the Rosemont Stud bred and raced  Miss Toorak Flyer, a daughter of the then-resident stallion Toorak Toff. She was a more than handy mare for Jason Warren, winning four and placing in six of her 14 starts.

Miss Toorak Flyer is out of an unraced half-sister to Secret Flyer, who carried Rosemont Stud’s red, white gatecrasher silks with distinction, earning Listed wins in the MRC Sir John Monash Stakes and VRC Kensington Stakes.

Emirates Park Stud nurtured this family after importing the Roberto mare Luv Luiana (USA).

A half-sister to Preakness stakes and Belmont Stakes hero Little Current, Luv Luiana (USA) is the dam of Group III Emancipation Stakes winner Almazyoon (Danehill), in turn, the dam of Group III winner Al Maze (El Moxie).

Luv Luiana’s dam Luiana (My Babu) is an unraced half-sister to the 1963 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Chateaugay (Swaps), and the American champion handicap female of 1962, Primonetta (Swaps), who was honoured as the Kentucky Broodmare of the Year in 1978.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Monday July 14
Here is the full list of 25 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Vale, Leading NZ Administrator Ian Boyland
New Zealand racing has lost a highly respected and popular administrator with the passing of Ian Boyland at the age of 81.
Backing Tomorrow’s Leaders: Sunline Trust and Stallion Auction Unite for the Future
On Saturday 26 July, the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding community will gather at the National Breeding Awards — not only to celebrate excellence, but to invest in the future of our people and our industry.
What Should Breeders Make of This?
When a stallion (who is standing at a fraction of his esteemed peers 2025 fees) leads the 2025 2yo Australian General Sires list by Winners to Runners, what if anything is this signalling to breeders?
Star Sprinting Mare Olentia Heads to Magic Virtual Sale
Outstanding racemare Olentia will provide buyers from around the globe an incredible opportunity when she is offered at next month's Magic Millions Virtual Sale.
High Hopes for Up and Comers
Andrew Forsman is hoping the younger members of his stable can make their mark in the new season’s age group events.
Colt from Aussie Glamour Girl Mosheen Tops JRHA Select Sale - Yearlings
The first day of the 2025 JRHA Select Sale featuring yearlings was held at Northern Horse Park in Hokkaido on Monday and the horse that topped the session is a colt from four time Australian Group I winning mare Mosheen.
Century of Winners for McDougal
Corrina McDougal had to wait on a protest before earning her first training success, but on Sunday at Woodville, her 100th was never in doubt.
Starspangledbanner 2YO Treasurway Sparkles in Breeders Stakes
Two two-year-old stakes-winning fillies at Sandown and Morphettville in a matter of minutes made it a day to remember for Anthony Mithen and the Rosemont Stud team.
Kneebone to Launch Training Career
Tauranga’s race meeting on July 6 marked the beginning of an exciting new venture for Nick Kneebone.