Poule d'Essai des Poulains
Starborough was a "well-made, medium-size" chestnut horse with a white blaze and a white sock on his right hind leg bred in England by his owner Sheikh Mohammed. He was sired by Soviet Star, an outstanding sprinter-miler whose wins included the Poule d'Essai des Poulains, Sussex Stakes, Prix de la Forêt, July Cup and Prix du Moulin. Soviet Star later became a very successful breeding stallion, siring major winners including Freedom Cry (Prix d'Harcourt), Starcraft, Ashkalani (Poule d'Essai des Poulains, Prix du Moulin), Soviet Line, Limpid (Grand Prix de Paris) and Pressing (Premio Roma).