Starman made the perfect start to his stud career on Friday evening when his very first runner, Lady Iman, ran out the impressive winner of her debut at Dundalk.
The word was out on the Tally-Ho homebred, a half-sister to this season's exciting sprinter West Acre, with the filly going off the 4/6 favourite against a field of colts for Ger Lyons. She didn't disappoint, breaking smartly under Colin Keane and quickening clear for a three-and-a-half length success.
"We thought she was a nice filly," said Colin Keane. "She's typical Tally-Ho, she's been very professional since she walked into the yard and was very straightforward today. She ticks a lot of boxes."
Ger Lyons added: "She's a beauty. I saw all the hoo-ha about her and it didn't come from our yard because we haven't done anything with her. We literally haven't done anything with her, she came in knowing her job and my whole job was to just let her chill.
"She has a lovely temperament, and I haven't taken her off the bridle ever at home. The race presented itself as a median auction and I said she has been doing everything easy and I've been given her to promote the stallion - do your job, don't be afraid to run her.
"That's the first time she has ever gone that quick.
"I have three by Starman. The one thing the three of them have in common is their temperament - brilliant temperament.
"I think she is a smart filly. Tonight was just an afterthought; the thought was always Naas and Naas. I want to win that Stakes race in Naas, I have been second in it a few times and hopefully you are good enough. The dream is still alive!"
Starman has been installed as the 1/3 favourite by Paddy Power to be the year's leading first-crop sire. A brilliantly fast horse himself, David Ward's homebred was trained by Ed Walker to win the July Cup and Duke Of York Stakes, for which he was crowned the 2021 Cartier Champion Sprinter.
The son of Dutch Art has over 200 juveniles to run for him this year, among them yearlings that sold for up to 260,000gns and plenty in the hands of good trainers. They include Ed Walker, who has nine by the son of Dutch Art at his Kingsdown Stables in Lambourn.
Starman stands for €10,000.
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