Starspangledbanner Now Favourite
Tara Madgwick
Sub-fertile Australian bred sire Starspangledbanner has been promoted to favourite for the title of Leading European First Season Sire by earnings in the wake of his Royal Ascot success where he posted a pair of Group II winners in The Wow Signal and Anthem Alexandra.
RaceBets spokesperson Joseph Burke said on Friday: "There has been a major overhaul to the betting with Starspangledbanner taking over as clear favourite in the leading first-season sire list by prize-money won, following his outstanding week at Royal Ascot. The Berkshire track was also kind to Fast Company, who is now the 3-1 second favourite, while Showcasing - who had gone into the week as favourite - is now the third choice of punters.
"Zebedee still leads the way by number of individual winners. He is our biggest loser in that market, and hence remains the steady 2-1 favourite, although Fast Company is again second favourite, having shortened from 11-1 into 3-1 following his good run of late."
Interestingly Zebedee, who has had 12 winners throughout Europe, has a similar profile to our own leading Australian First Season Sire I Am Invincible in that he is a speedy son of Invincible Spirit.
Based at TallyHo Stud in Ireland Zebedee stands at a fee of just 5,000 euros.
Also with 12 winners throughout Europe and a Royal Ascot Group II winner amongst them in Baitha Alga, Danehill Dancer sire Fast Company is another bargain priced sire making his mark. He stands at Rathasker Stud at a fee of 5,000 euros.
Leading first-season sire 2014
(By number of individual winners in Britain and Ireland, Flat season to November 8, 2014)
2-1 Zebedee; 3-1 Fast Company; 4-1 Showcasing; 11-2 Rip Van Winkle; 10-1 Arcano; 10-1 Equiano; 12-1 Makfi: 12-1 Paco Boy; 12-1 Approve; 16-1 Lope De Vega; 20-1 Starspangledbanner; 20-1 Vale Of York; 33-1 Lord Shanakill; 40-1 Hellvelyn; 50-1 Alfred Nobel; 100-1 Vocalised; 100-1 Stimulation
Win Only - others on request
Leading first-season sire 2014
(By prize-money in Britain and Ireland, Flat season to November 8, 2014)
13-8 Starspangledbanner; 3-1 Fast Company; 7-2 Showcasing; 7-1 Zebedee; 7-1 Rip Van Winkle; 14-1 Paco Boy; 33-1 Approve; 33-1 Hellvelyn; 40-1 Vale Of York; 40-1 Arcano; 40-1 Equiano; 40-1 Makfi; 50-1 Lope De Vega; 66-1 Lord Shanakill; 66-1 Alfred Nobel; 66-1 Vocalised; 66-1 Stimulation
Win Only - others on request
