Banquo Targets Second Stakes Success

The Danny O'Brien-trained Banquo (Written Tycoon-Noondie, by Flying Spur) will be chasing his second stakes victory when he races second-up in Saturday's Listed Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington. Successful in the Listed Springtime Stakes (1400m) during the 2019 Spring Carnival, the brother to Group 1 winner Booker (Written Tycoon) will jump away from gate 10 with Damian Lane in the saddle. Purchased from the draft of Mill Park Stud for $600,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions Yearling Sale by Bruce Perry Bloodstock, the potential stallion prospect is raced by a selection of New Zealand's leading breeders. Fifth last time out over 1100m when racing first up, beaten just over a length by Astrologist (Zoustar) who he will once again meet here, the connections of Banquo are looking to capitalise on his solid second up form with three top two finishes from four first-up runs. With Banquo's full-sister Booker selling for $1.6m at the 2020 Inglis Chairman's Sale to Tom Magnier, and their full-brother selling at this year's Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $620,000, it is a pedigree full of potential. If Banquo can continue to add further stakes success to the family, then his future as a stallion prospect looks bright, especially being by arguably one of the hottest stallions in the country, the leading sire Written Tycoon.