Starman's July Cup triumph the icing on the cake for owner-breeder David Ward

The fruition of owner-breeder David Ward's already considerable breeding achievements came to pass with Starman's convincing victory in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday.

Not only was the powerful son of Dutch Art providing his trainer Ed Walker with a first British Group 1 success, but it was also a poignant success for Ward following the loss of the colt's dam after foaling a Kingman filly Lodestar just over two years ago.

Starman is the fourth individual top-level winner for the Cheveley Park Stud sire, who is also responsible for another July Cup hero in Slade Power plus Prix de l'Abbaye heroine Mabs Cross and Prix Maurice de Gheest scorer Garswood from 15 individual Group winners and 27 Listed victors overall.

Among Dutch Art's other high-class performers are multiple Group 2 and 3 winner Dutch Connection, Mill Reef and Gimcrack Stakes scorer Caspar Netscher, and Solario Stakes winner and Vintage Stakes runner-up Positive.

Unraced at two, Starman won three of his four starts at three, including the Listed Garrowby Stakes at York but failed to fire on softer going in the British Champions Sprint Stakes.

His connections' decision to skip the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last month due to the ground was repaid on the July course on Saturday, when the colt beat a strong field under Tom Marquand by a length and a quarter and up.

Starman is the second foal out of the winning Montjeu mare Northern Star, who was sold for €50,000 to SackvilleDonald at the 2011 Goffs Orby Sale and is a half-sister to two stakes performers including South Tampa Bay Derby scorer King Guillermo.

Ed Sackville, who advises the Ward family, told GBRI: "We originally went to the yearling sales with the intention of buying a filly who could go on and become a broodmare hopefully and Northern Star has more than accomplished that.

"She was a decent horse herself, she ran in the Lingfield Oaks Trial, and when she was retired to stud we first chose Kodiac for her and then Dutch Art.

"With a young mare I always like to use a proven stallion to get her going and Dutch Art fit that role, also we wanted to inject some speed into her pedigree and he has certainly done that.”

Starman is a a half-brother to the Group 3-placed Sunday Star, a dual winning daughter of Kodiac who has since retired to the paddocks. She will visit Frankel next year having undergone surgery for an ovarian cyst, while Lodestar is currently carrying to Dutch Art.

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