Don't Tell Mary booked her ticket to Royal Ascot in emphatic style on Wednesday when storming away to take the Hilary Needler Trophy at Beverley by four lengths. In the process, she became the first stakes winner for her sire, Starcraft.

The Tom Dascombe-trained filly, who is the first runner by Starcraft, was purchased by David Redvers as a yearling for £32,000 at the DBS St Leger Festival Sale. Bred by Mascalls Stud, she is a half-sister to the Group 2-placed juvenile Cape Fear and out of the winning Polar Falcon mare Only In Dreams.

Starcraft was a brilliant performer in both hemispheres, registering three Group 1 wins from 1400 to 2400m in Australia and New Zealand, before taking the Prix du Moulin and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in Europe under the care of Luca Cumani. He also ran third in the Queen Anne Stakes on his European debut and was not disgraced when seventh in the Breeders' Cup Classic, his first try on dirt.

Starcraft, who is a strapping New Zealand-bred son of Soviet Star, spent a single season at Cheveley Park Stud, where he covered 105 mares at a fee of £10,000.

As well as Don't Tell Mary, his first crop of yearlings, which sold for up to 200,000gns last year, include the half-brothers to the juvenile Group/Grade 1 winners Dazzle and Donativum. The latter is now named OrionThe Huner and with Paul Cole.

Starcraft has not shuttled to the northern hemisphere since 2006. He stands the southern hemisphere at Arrowfield Stud in Australia, where he commands a fee of A$22,000.

FOOTNOTE: Starcraft's first crop yearlings have averaged $98,825 for 57 sold in Australia and New Zealand this year, with two topping the $400,000 mark