State of Rest Lands Another Major International Prize

State of Rest  landed another group 1 on the global stage and made the perfect start to his new campaign with a game success in the May 1 Prix Ganay (G1).

Globe-trotting star! State Of Rest gets his third consecutive Group 1, winning the Prix Ganay at @paris_longchamp for @ShaneCrosse and @JosephOBrien2! pic.twitter.com/aIscZWjD1F

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 1, 2022

Last year's Ladbrokes Cox Plate (G1) and Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) winner defied being trapped on the outside of the field to repel the challenge of Sealiway  and Pretty Tiger  under Shane Crosse and secured a third top-level success of his career.

Pretty Tiger was a fast-finishing second with last year's QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1) winner Sealiway in third, while favorite Skalleti  was back in fifth after a luckless run. 

Winning trainer Joseph O'Brien said: "I'm really pleased and delighted for all the lads at home. We were taking on some really good horses here and weren't sure how our form tied up with them.

"However, we knew he was in good nick. Shane gave him a great ride and it was much deserved for him."

The Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot is likely to be a major target for State of Rest according to O'Brien, who believes his stable star could be one of the best middle-distance horses in Europe currently.

"That was our main objective for this season—to get a European group 1," he added. "Hopefully we'll look at the Tattersalls Gold Cup for him next then there's a clear pattern for him through the summer.

"It's a big pleasure and very exciting to have that type of horse in the yard. We couldn't have got off to a better start for the season."

The 4-year-old colt by Starspangledbanner  was bred in Ireland by Tinnakill Bloodstock who sold him as a weanling to Diamond Bloodstock for $60,424 at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale in 2018. The following year he was consigned by Whatton Manor Stud to the Tattersalls October Yearling - Book 2 Sale where Aidan O'Ryan/Joseph O'Brien picked him up for  $80,543.

His dam, Repose, by Quiet American has produced 4 foals, all who have started are runners including the stakes-placed Tranquil Lady . She has a 2-year-old filly by Dandy Man , Double Scoop who has not started but sold for $210,514 to Anthony Dutrow at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale last year. 

Initially campaigned by Long Wait Two Partnership, State of Rest now runs for Teme Valley. For the 9 starts he has made with Joseph Patrick O'Brien he sits on a record of 3-1-2, bankrolling $2,870,177 with wins in the U.S., Ireland, and Australia. He was third runner up in both the Bet365 Champagne Stakes (G2) at Doncaster at two and the Dubai Duty Free Celebration Stakes at the Curragh last year.