Auctions

Mar 12 Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. March Sale of 2YOs in Training 2024 HIPS
Mar 14 Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival March Sale 2024 HIPS
Mar 27 Tattersalls March Sale 2024 HIPS
Apr 3 Texas Thoroughbred Association 2YOs in Training Sale 2024 HIPS
Apr 16 Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. Spring Sale of 2YOs in Training 2024 HIPS
View All Auctions

July Cup Hero Starman Retired to Tally-Ho Stud

Starman ruled out of British Champions Sprint Stakes (G1) with setback.

Starman wins the July Cup at Newmarket

Starman wins the July Cup at Newmarket

Edward Whitaker/Racing Post

Darley July Cup (G1) winner Starman will miss the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes (G1) and has been retired to stud.

He suffered a minor setback while being prepared for Saturday's Ascot showdown and will not recover in time to take his chance.

His racing career is now at an end and he will stand at Tally-Ho Stud in Ireland, with owner David Ward retaining a share in the 4-year-old for his stallion career.

Trainer Ed Walker said, "It's a huge shame as we were really looking forward to Saturday and hoping he could prove himself a real champion.

"I've always thought he was the best around and he's certainly the best I've trained."

Starman (Oisin Murphy) beats Nahaarr in the Duke Of York Stakes<br>
York 12.5.21 Pic: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post
Photo: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post
Starman wins the Duke Of York Stakes at York

Starman's absence throws Saturday's Champions Sprint wide open as he had topped the betting across the board at a best-priced 4-1.

COVID-19 meant that the colt, who was home bred by Ward, did not make his first appearance until July of last year, but he won on his debut at Lingfield then broke the track record at Doncaster and took the listed Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Garrowby Stakes at York last September.

After being beaten on very soft ground in the Champions Sprint at Ascot the following month, Walker was determined thereafter to avoid running in similar conditions.

That ruled him out of the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot this summer, for which he had been a major fancy after his impressive comeback win in the Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes (G2) at York in May.

But his top-level breakthrough was merely delayed and the following month Starman powered to a clear-cut success in the July Cup at Newmarket, where he gave Walker his first group 1 win as a trainer.

The 4-year-old went on to finish third in the LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1) at Deauville, seemingly outstayed on very soft ground over 6 1/2 furlongs, and was then beaten just a short head by Emaraaty Ana in the Betfair Sprint Cup (G1) at Haydock on what turned out to be his final appearance.

The winner of five of his eight starts, with earnings of over £476,000 in prize money, Starman retires as the top-rated sprinter in Europe.