THE news that State Of Rest would retire for the 2023 season to Rathbarry Stud came after the son of Starspangledbanner (Choisir) had won three Group/Grade 1 races on three continents.

Successful over six furlongs at two and placed in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster behind Chindit, he was placed on his first start in a listed race at the Curragh at three before Joseph O’Brien embarked on an audacious, but hugely rewarding, international venture. First stop was the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby Stakes which he took by a length, and then he headed down under to tackle the 10-furlong Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.