1 May 2022
Photo scoopdyga.com
Sunday, May 1st, 2022, ParisLongchamp Racecourse (Paris). - Group-placed in Ireland and in England at 2, winner of the Saratoga Derby (Gr1) in New York for his second race at 3, then of the Cox Plate (Gr1) at Moonee Valley in Melbourne, the Irish raider State of Rest (Starspangledbanner) was making his seasonal come back at 7.30 against four of the best French Aged horses, including the mighty Skalleti (Kendargent), in the Prix Ganay (Gr1).
His rider Shane Michael Crosse elected to keep him along the small field led by the titleholder Mare Australis (Australia) and Smile Makers (Kendargent), a pacemaker for Sealiway (Galiway). State of Restwas slightly pushed aside again in the early straight when the leader gave way for his stablemate, but that didn't affect his momentum and he was the first to strike with Sealiway, and took over him, leaning to his right in the process, which could have affected the progression of Pretty Tiger (Sea the Moon), boxed in at the critical point. The latter still recovered early enough to come back and catch 2nd place ahead of Sealiway. The favourite Skalleti, who was able to avoid any stress in the rear, tried to make progress in the middle of the course, just as he'd done in the Prix d'Harcourt (Gr2) lately, but he ran flat and couldn't even catch a disappointing Mare Australis, so encouraging in the Harcourt.
State of Rest was bred in Ireland but he's been sold twice at Newmarket, as a wanling for £45,000, then again at Tattersalls as a yearling, when Aiden O’Ryan and his future trainer Joseph O’Brien bought him for £60,000. In September 2021, his Dandy Man sister was sold for €180,000 at the Goffs Orby sale before her old brother embarked in such a successful international career.
According to a post tweeted by Tinnakill house, Repose (also bred at Tinnakill) has a Sea The Stars filly foal and is in foal to Frankel.