Former Coolmore stallion prospect Starspangledbanner (Choisir – Gold Anthem, by Made of Gold) is set to make his return to racing in Ireland on Saturday.
Fertility issues ended Starspangledbanner’s breeding career after one season. The six-year-old is set to have his first race in almost two years in the Group 3 Minstrel Stakes (7f) at the Curragh.
Starspangledbanner won the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in 2009 as well as the Group I Oakleigh Plate (1100m) in 2010 before Coolmore purchased a controlling interest in the horse.
Starspangledbanner won the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes (6f) at the 2012 Royal Ascot carnival before becoming the first and only Australian-bred sprinter to win the Group 1 July Cup (6f) at Newmarket later in the same year.
The sprinter finished second at his last run in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes (6f) at York in August 2010.
Starspangledbanner is one of 11 horses left in contention to run in the Minstrel Stakes at the five-day declaration stage.