By Brian Sheerin
Royal Ascot-bound Cowardofthecounty (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) has been snapped up by Barbara Banke's Stonestreet Stables and other American-based partners.
Cowardofthecounty made a scintillating start to his career when scoring on debut for Joseph O'Brien over 6f at the Curragh.
The form has since been franked with the runner-up, the Aidan O'Brien-rained Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never), landing the First Flier S. over 5f at the Curragh in similarly impressive fashion.
Cowardofthecounty is prominent in the betting for the Coventry S. at odds of 5-1 and, according to O'Brien, the colt will head straight to Ascot.
He said, “We were really happy with Cowardofthecounty's debut. He was working like a really smart colt and it was nice to see him go and do it on the track. The form of the race has worked out really well and he will go straight to the Coventry.”
O'Brien added, “Really excited to have Mrs Banke, Mr [Tracy] Farmer and Mr [John] Oxley in the ownership group. He is our first horse for Stonestreet and Mr Farmer and obviously we've had success with Mr Oxley in the past. Hopefully it is a long-lasting partnership and Cowardofthecounty can be a special colt for us this season.”
Cowardofthecounty carried the colours of ES Racing on his first and only start to date at the Curragh. Bred by Lismacue Stud, he was bought by Glenvale Stud for €98,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sale before being knocked down to KR Bloodstock for 100,000gns at Book 2 at Tattersalls.
While Stonestreet Stables and Tracy Farmer are new additions to the O'Brien stable, Oxley has had plenty of success with the young trainer, headed by Group 1-winning filly Pretty Gorgeous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}).
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
