Starspangledbanner has six weanlings to be offered at the Magic Millions National Sale on Sunday and he was in the limelight overnight in France where his three year-old colt Rafale Design won the Group III Longchamp Prix Hoquart (2200m).
Trained by Yann Barberot and ridden by Christophe Soumillion, Rafale Design won two of three starts last year and then was beaten first up in a Group III assignment last month, but bounced out of that to score a dominant win.
He powered to the line to win by a length and a quarter and has now won three of five starts.
“I am not surprised to see him win, because he is a good horse and my best three-year-old,” said Barberot, who plans to give the colt his chance at G1 level.
“He is a good-ground specialist and the rain-softened ground was a real concern for me, but obviously he is getting stronger.
“He has improved with time and stays well, so the [G1] Grand Prix de Paris will now be the target.”
He was sold initially as a foal at Goffs for €48,000 and then was re-offered the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale where he made €75,000 to the bid of CF Bloodstock.
Rafale Design is the first winner from placed Montjeu mare Fashion Design, a daughter of US Group I winner Sense of Style.
He is the 52nd stakes-winner for Starspangledbanner, who remains at Coolmore in Ireland this spring where he stands at a fee of €45,000.
