Improving Starspangledbanner Colt Gains Maiden Victory

Antipodes (3c Starspangledbanner – Albemarle, by King’s Best) beat some well-backed rivals to get off the mark in Monday’s mile maiden at Windsor.

Trained by Roger Varian for Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, the Starspangledbanner colt took a step forward on his second start earlier this month, when he was beaten just a head by a more experienced colt.

Reunited with Ray Dawson on Monday, the bay raced in touch with the leaders and was ridden approaching the two-furlong marker. Throwing down a challenge a furlong from home, he led inside the final 110 yards and kept on well to deny the joint-favourite by a neck, with another two and three quarter lengths back to the third horse.

Antipodes was bred by Rigsdale Stud and sold for 130,000gns as a yearling. His full-brother sold for €82,000 as a foal last November.