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Breeding the Best to the Best

8th Sep 2011

Breednet - Media Release - Thursday, 8 September 2011

‘Breed the best to the best and hope for the best' - It's an age old adage and the foundation upon which many of the very best horses around the world have been bred.

On this premise, matings don't come much more exciting than the mating of 3-time Melbourne Cup winner and champion racemare Makybe Diva with Australian and European champion sprinter Starspangledbanner.

"Makybe Diva is very much entitled to be considered the greatest racemare in the history of Australian racing and naturally we are delighted that she is returning to us again to be bred to Starspangledbanner,” said Coolmore Stud Manager, Peter O'Brien.

"We have enjoyed a strong relationship with Tony and Deslee (Santic) for years now it's obviously exciting that the two horses that have been fundamental to the foundation and early success of their Makybe Stud venture will be mated together.

"As breeders of Starspangledbanner, himself an internationally recognised champion, it was inevitable that Tony and Deslee would want to patronise him with some nice mares when he retired and in terms of profile, they don't come any better than Makybe Diva.

"Makybe have been great supporters of ours and I hope that their support will continue to reap dividends for years to come like it has with Starspangledbanner.”

By Coolmore based Choisir from Gold Anthem, Starspangledbanner (pictured by Kate Pasinati) won seven races and more than $2million in prizemoney with career highlight wins in the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas and MRC Oakleigh Plate before defeating the world's best sprinters in the Group I Royal Ascot Golden Jubilee Stakes and Group I Newmarket July Cup.

"Certainly this year's colt (by Fastnet Rock) out of Gold Anthem is a lovely foal and gives one grounds to be very optimistic for the future,” added O'Brien.

Starspangledbanner is the fourth member of his sire line to stand at Coolmore Australia following in the footsteps of his sire Choisir, Danehill Dancer and Danehill.

An exceptional racehorse, Starspangledbanner is currently serving his first Southern Hemisphere book at Coolmore Australia at a fee of $44,000 incl.GST.

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