Starspangledbanner retired

STARSPANGLEDBANNER (Choisir), the champion sprinter in Australia in 2009-10

and winner this summer of the Golden Jubilee S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot and July

Cup (Eng-G1) at Newmarket, will not run again and will retire to Coolmore Stud

for the 2011 season. The announcement was made Tuesday.

A winner in seven of 13 starts, Starspangledbanner also scored wins at the

highest level in the Oakleigh Plate (Aus-G1) and Caulfield Guineas (Aus-G1). He

concluded his career with a second in the Nunthorpe S. (Eng-G1) and a fifth in

the Haydock Sprint Cup (Eng-G1).

"Starspangledbanner is a very imposing individual with a strong page and is

rated a superior sprinter to his sire Choisir," Coolmore's Eddie Fitzpatrick

said. "(Trainer) Aidan (O'Brien) was completely blown away by the times he was

clocking in his work prior to Royal Ascot and he showed that brilliant speed in

both the Golden Jubilee and the July Cup."

"Starspangledbanner is an incredible horse -- the fastest we've ever had

here. It was a great pleasure to have him," said O'Brien, who trained two

previous European champion sprinters in Mozart (Ire) and Stravinsky.