TDN RISING STARS

May 26, 2023 - GOODWOOD, Race 1, Alw, GBP £15,000, 6.0F, .0000

Barnwell Boy (GB), C, 2, 2021 by Starspangledbanner (Aus)

1st Dam: Frilly (GB), by Frankel (GB)
2nd Dam: Ladies are Forever (GB), by Monsieur Bond (Ire)
3rd Dam: Forever Bond (GB), by Danetime (Ire)

Owner: Jane Newett (GB)
Breeder: Jane Newett (GB)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston

Jane Newett's Barnwell Boy (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}-Frilly {GB}, by Frankel {GB}) became the latest juvenile to stake a claim for Royal Ascot with a taking debut success in Friday's William Hill/British EBF Novice S. over six furlongs at Goodwood. The contest has become a useful yardstick having thrown high-class winners in the past, with Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) annexing the 2017 renewal and Royal Scotsman (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) winning last year's edition.

Barnwell Boy, a Charlie Johnston trainee, broke sharply and seized an immediate lead. Holding sway throughout, the 5-1 chance was nudged along passing the quarter-mile marker and surged clear, despite drifting left, under mild coaxing inside the final furlong to easily outclass Packard (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) by an impressive 4 1/2 lengths. He is the fourth TDN Rising Star for Starspangledbanner, whose honour roll includes multiple Group 1-placed sprinter Flotus (Ire).

"He's not very big, but he's pretty sharp and was ready to go," said Mark Johnston. "We didn't know what to expect first-time-out as we didn't know what we were up against. Oisin [Murphy] came in and said he's very fast and that he was quite impressed. I suppose, on pedigree, he's not one we'd have thought as an out-and-out five-furlong horse. We'll have to go home and maybe think that way now. With any 2-year-old winner at this time of year, you always have to be thinking is this a [Royal] Ascot, or not. Maybe we'll be thinking about the [Listed] Windsor Castle now."