star legend

Star Legend is a beautifully-bred five-year-old son of Galileo who has proven a really consistent dual-purpose performer since joining Deva Racing midway through 2023. 

Originally sold for 450,000gns at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, he is out of the French Listed winner Thai Haku (Oasis Dream) and a full-brother to Sarrocchi, who won a Listed race in Ireland for Aidan O’Brien. 

Sent into training with William Haggas, Star Legend made four appearances as a three-year-old, notably finishing third in a 1m4f Lingfield maiden, before making his way to the rapidly expanding Newmarket yard of James Owen last year. 

He immediately switched codes, finishing third on his hurdling debut at Uttoxeter behind Liverpool Knight (Golden Horn), where he travelled like the winner until fading late on. Brought into the Deva Racing fold after that run, he went on finish third again at Worcester and Southwell, in handicap company on the latter occasion. 

A step up to nearly 2m4f led to an improved showing at Huntingdon in November, where he finished second, before he made the winning breakthrough in a maiden hurdle over the same trip at Fakenham. Given a patient ride by Lilly Pinchin, Star Legend powered into the lead before the home turn and stayed on well to win by a length and a half, with nearly 20 lengths back to the third. This was a hugely impressive display and suggested that Star Legend is capable of rating much higher.

Below his best when attempting to follow-up the following week, Star Legend was given a break over the winter and returned to action with a terrific third at 80/1 in a 1m6f Flat handicap at Chelmsford in March. That run told us a mark of 70 is well within reach on the level, while his hurdles rating of 99 is waiting to be exploited when he goes back over obstacles in due course. He is set to continue running on the Flat for the time being and holds an entry in the prestigious Chester Cup.

Star Legend is being given all the time he needs to develop into the horse his pedigree tells us he can be and there are many more good days to look forward to with him.