Roderic O'Connor in focus as Milltown Star captures Prix Herod

Roderic O’Connor left it late to strike with his final crop of European-bred juveniles as his son Milltown Star took the Prix Herod at Chantilly.

It has been a strong finish to the season by the stallion, who has taken up permanent residence at Poonawalla Stud in India after stints at Ballyhane and the National Stud, with four-year-old Miss O’Connor extending her unbeaten streak for William Haggas in last month’s Group 3 Prix Perth.

This seven-furlong event is the last black type contest of the 2019 for two-year-olds in Britain, Ireland or France and it was only what Milltown Star had deserved after two wins from nine starts already for Mick Channon, including unseating shortly after leaving the stalls in another Listed event at Deauville during the summer.

He wore down Ellerslie Lace close home in the hands of Gerald Mosse to hand a notable victory to breeder Steven Smith’s Hunscote Stud, which produced him from its durable Red Clubs mare Hail Shower.

Milltown Star was bought back when offered as a yearling at the Tattersalls Ireland September Sale. He is Hail Shower's third progeny, with a Holy Roman Emperor half-brother set to be offered by Furnace Mill Stud at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale.

Roderic O’Connor, who won the Criterium International and Irish 2,000 Guineas for Aidan O’Brien, made a good start with his first crop in 2015 but has only sired a handful of European stakes winners to date.

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