Vandeek’s half-brother wins Irish 2000 Guineas G1

Vandeek’s half-brother Gstaad (by Starspangledbanner) has out-gunned his eight rivals at The Curragh to land a 3-length victory in Saturday’s Irish 2,000 Guineas G1, three weeks after finishing second to Bow Echo in the English equaivalent.

As the Racing Post reported, “It was only 12 months ago that Gstaad made a successful debut at Navan and he has packed a career’s worth into that time with a Royal Ascot success, three defeats at the top level, a Breeders’ Cup triumph, Classic defeat and now glory.

“Such a body of work at this stage of his career is testament to the laudable mental and physical constitution of the winner, and also the training performance from O’Brien and everyone at Ballydoyle given Gstaad has matched or increased his RPR [Racing Post Rating] with every start during such an industrious period.”

Named Europe’s Champion 2YO Colt in 2025, Gstaad currently has a rating of 120 on the IFHA LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings and is likely to meet Bow Echo again in next month’s Royal Ascot St James’s Palace S. G1. 

Gstaad leads them home in the @Tattersalls1766 Irish 2,000 Guineas! @curraghrace | @WorldPool pic.twitter.com/lgRRPnWsm1

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 23, 2026

Trainer Aidan O’Brien, who celebrated his 13th success in the race, said, “He’s a lovely, uncomplicated horse and Ryan gave him a beautiful ride. A very straightforward and genuine horse…It’s lovely to have a horse where it doesn’t matter if they go fast or slow as he’s happy to go along and if the pace is on then he’s happy to sit in. He’s a very solid, big horse.”

O’Brien went on to raise the possibility that Gstaad may yet be seen in Australia. “We always thought he could turn into a Cox Plate horse, but there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge before then.”

Gstaad’s Guineas win pulls him alongside Vandeek as a two-time Group 1 winner, and boosts the standing of both their remarkable dam, the now 19 year-old Mosa Mine (by Danehill’s champion sire son Exceed and Excel), and their boutique breeder, the Thomas family’s Maywood Stud.

Of particular importance for ANZ breeders is that Gstaad is by the Australian-bred Starspangledbanner from the Danehill sire-line. His success supports sending mares with Danehill in the 2nd or 3rd generation of their pedigrees to Vandeek.

That replicates in-breeding patterns which have so far produced 177 stakeswinners, including Group 1 winners such as Joliestar, Jacquinot, Ozzmosis, Schwarz, Sunlight, Zougotcha and this year’s Golden Slipper winner Guest House. 

Vandeek’s brilliant sire Havana Grey has also been busy in the early part of the 2026 European season, with 12 stakes performers, including 5 stakeswinners headed by Group winners Almendares, Havana Anna and 3YO filly Sukanya.

Three mares in foal to Vandeek will be offered at this week’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.