Gstaad prompts career high stallion fee for Starspangledbanner

Starspangledbanner has reached a career-high service fee of €60,000 at Coolmore Ireland, with the surge fuelled largely by the breakout success of his Group 1-winning son Gstaad.

Gstaad claimed the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar last week, becoming one of 15 stakes winners worldwide for Starspangledbanner in 2025. The global momentum has seen demand for the son of Choisir reach new heights.

Starspangledbanner did not shuttle to Australia in 2025 and his fee has risen from €45,000, having originally stood for €15,000 upon his retirement to stud in 2011.

Coolmore’s roster for 2026 is headed by No Nay Never at €100,000 and features several newcomers, including Group 1-winning pair Camille Pissarro (€30,000) and Henri Matisse (€20,000). The two are the only sons of the late Wootton Bassett to win Group 1 races at both two and three.

“It was a major blow to lose Wootton Bassett the month before last, but we’re extremely fortunate to have his sons, Camille Pissarro and Henri Matisse, retiring for the coming season,” Coolmore director of sales David O’Loughlin said.

“These are his only two sons to have won Group 1 races at both two and three years, and both boast exceptional pedigrees and physiques to match their Classic-winning prowess.”

Delacroix, winner of the Coral-Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes, begins his stud career at €40,000. The son of Dubawi has been described as “arguably the best-looking son of Dubawi ever to retire to stud.”

Elsewhere on the roster, St Mark’s Basilica and Camelot will both stand for €60,000 after slight reductions.