Three-parts brother to champion Inspiral catches the eye at Newcastle on Tuesday

Our resident bloodstock experts profile the well-bred eyecatchers and expensive purchases set to grace the track.

Stardrop

Extra Winnings With BetUK Acca Club Novice Stakes (2.52 Newcastle, Tuesday)

What's the story?

A regally bred newcomer lines up at Newcastle for James Owen and the Gredley family in the form of Stardrop. 

The son of Ulysses has plenty of family history to live up to, although he is in top hands and will no doubt be ready for his first racecourse task. He was bred by Cheveley Park Stud and sold to the Gredleys' Stetchworth and Middle Park Studs for 160,000gns at Tattersalls Book 1 in 2023. 

How's he bred?

The colt is the sixth foal out of Selkirk mare Starscope, a high-class performer for Cheveley Park who placed in the 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes. A half-sister to Listed winner Solar Magic, Starscope is in turn out of Moon Goddess, a winning Rainbow Quest half-sister to Lockinge and Eclipse winner Medicean, later a top-class sire for Cheveley Park. 

Now 16-years-old, Starscope is responsible for four winners from as many runners to have made the track. 

The best of those is the brilliant Inspiral, an unbeaten champion at two culminating with a win in the Fillies' Mile. At three, the Frankel filly landed the Coronation Stakes and Prix Jacques le Marois, while the following year she won a second Marois as well as the Sun Chariot Stakes and Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. 

Inspiral in full flight in the Coronation Stakes at Royal AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker

She joined the Cheveley Park broodmare band this year and is due to visit Dubawi for her first covering. 

Starscope's other progeny include the Listed-placed Celestran and three-time winner Astrologer, by Intello. Starscope has a two-year-old sister to Inspiral named Spinning and a yearling sister to those two. She returned to Frankel last year and will visit him again in 2025. 

Who does he face?

Among Stardrop's three rivals are last-time-out winners Berkshire Whisper and Noble Victory. The former, who struck at Kempton last month, is by Dark Angel and out of the unraced Cape Cross mare Samaah, a close relation to top-class sprinter Kingsgate Native. Bred by Yeomanstown Stud and a 110,000gns Book 1 graduate, Berkshire Whisper is a half-brother to Sirenia Stakes third Huraiz.

Noble Victory, meanwhile, is by Churchill and out of the winning Orientate mare Purple Glow, making him a half-brother to dual Listed winner Main Desire.

The line-up is completed by Hello Youmzain gelding Rainbow Nebula, a half-brother to winners and out of a Pivotal half-sister to multiple black-type winner Hooking. He has placed on both starts to date for Richard Fahey, having sold to the trainer for 120,000gns at Tattersalls Book 2. 

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