The
Listed Curragh Stakes for two year-olds in Ireland overnight was dominated by
sires standing in Victoria this spring with first and third by
Starspangledbanner and the second place-getter by Cable Bay (IRE).
The Jessica Harrington trained Millisle scored a half length win in the five
furlong sprint over Isabeau (Cable Bay) and Lil Grey (Starspangledbanner) with
Yulong owned Sidestep filly Real Appeal, who won a stakes race in France
earlier this year, in fourth place.
A homebred for Stonethorn Stud Farm, Millisle has two wins and a second from
three starts and looks well capable of further success.
"She got into a
battle and didn't quite know what she was doing at Down Royal (previous start).
She found everything so easy at Bellewstown (first start) and had never had a
horse leaning up against her and battling like last time - I think that stood
to her today," said Jessica Harrington.
"I didn't quite like her draw but she coped with it well and jumped nicely. She
stayed well. It's great black type for her at two and especially for Stonethorn
Stud Farms. It's an old family that she comes from and she's the last foal out
of the mare, so it's an important win."
Millisle is a half-sister to stakes-winner Ithoughtitwasover and is the ninth
winner from good producer Green Castle.
Millisle is the 11th stakes-winner for Starspangledbanner, who stands
at Rosemont Stud this spring at a fee of $22,000.