Exciting Debut for Starspangledbanner Colt

Exciting juvenile A  Boy Named Susie (Starspangledbanner – Soho Susie, by Montjeu) made an impressive winning debut at Killarney, landing the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Race over a mile in eye-catching fashion.

Trained by Donnacha O’Brien and owned by Ana O’Brien, the colt travelled strongly under Gavin Ryan, quickening smartly in the straight to score by three lengths from the well-fancied Bellamano.

“We thought he was good, he did a really, really good piece of work up the Curragh a few weeks ago,” said Donnacha. “This looked a tough race for a debut, but he’s obviously very smart. For an auction race at Killarney, it has thrown up Iridessa, Luxembourg, and last year Lambourn … so it's a nice start for him. They hacked and then sprinted, but I think he could be a proper one. He has plenty gears for a big horse.”

The victory was especially poignant for Ana, marking her first winner as an owner at the venue where she suffered a serious fall in 2017.

“It’s my first time back here since my fall, so thankfully this is a much better day,” she said. “Donnacha always liked this horse, and I’m delighted he came out and did that.”

Bred by the Soho Susie Partnership, out of the Montjeu mare Soho Susie, A  Boy Named Susie holds an entry in the Group 1 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes and looks set for a step up in class following this stylish performance.