Sun Goddess surged from the back of the field to clinch Aidan O'Brien's 18th triumph in the Group One Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, delivering a performance that will be remembered for its dramatic finish. The filly, who entered the race as the 5-4 favourite, lived up to the high expectations placed on her by a stable that has produced a string of champions, including Johannesburg (2001), George Washington (2005), Holy Roman Emperor (2006) and Caravaggio (2016). Under the expert guidance of jockey Ryan Moore, Sun Goddess turned a seemingly modest start into a commanding victory, crossing the line a length and a quarter ahead of the runner‑up, Folsom Blues.
The daughter of Sioux Nation, herself a Phoenix Stakes winner for the same owners in 2017, arrived at the Curragh with a solid résumé. She had already won both of her previous outings over the same distance, including a Group Two victory in her most recent start. Between those wins, she had been placed second in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, finishing behind George Boughey's Libertango.
This blend of early speed and proven stamina made her a logical choice to lead the betting. When stablemate Carry The Flag set a blistering early tempo, Moore chose patience, allowing Sun Goddess to settle before unleashing her turn of foot in the final two furlongs. She slipped inside, accelerated smoothly, and never looked back as she powered clear of the field. After the race, O'Brien praised the filly, describing her as "beautiful" and noting her consistency across different tracks.
He recalled her maiden win at Naas, her respectable showing at Ascot, and her swift recovery to win again at the Curragh just a week later. "She is obviously very special and everything has gone right since Ascot," he said.
He also highlighted her versatility, pointing out that she possesses multiple gears and a high cruising speed. "Ryan said they went fast and when he asked her she just motor‑cleared. She'll have no problem over seven furlongs – she is very exciting," O'Brien added.
In related news, Big Mojo capitalised on a reduced weight to secure victory in the FBD Hotels and Resorts Phoenix Sprint Stakes, also at the Curragh. Trained by Mick Appleby, the four‑year‑old had shown top‑class form the previous season, winning the Sprint Cup at Haydock and finishing a close second to No Half Measures in the July Cup at Newmarket. This year, however, his campaign had been uneven, with unplaced runs at York, Royal Ascot and a second attempt at the July Cup. The Curragh run proved a turning point; under Tom Marquand, Big Mojo produced a decisive one‑and‑a‑quarter‑length win over Bucanero Fuerte.
Appleby, who celebrated his first Irish winner, explained that the trip to Ireland was intended to rebuild the horse's confidence after a series of disappointing performances. "Now that his confidence is restored, we hope he can repeat the effort. He's as good as ever, just a bit more relaxed," Appleby said, adding that the horse's future may include a return to Haydock and a possible Breeders' Cup campaign.
Another noteworthy performance came from Push The Boat Out, who impressed trainer Michael O'Callaghan with a comfortable victory in the Irish EBF Maiden at Guidenstown. Despite starting at 16‑1, the Kodi Bear colt displayed a natural turn of foot, accelerating under Colin Keane to win by a clear margin. O'Callaghan had always regarded the colt highly, noting that he had been slightly under‑cooked in training but possessed raw speed and a willingness to travel.
"Colin was taken by him and believes he can step up to stakes company without difficulty," O'Callaghan explained. He added that the colt could handle an extra furlong and might evolve into a high‑class stakes performer, with the National Stakes as a potential next target. Aidan O'Brien also added a new winner to his stable when Ibelieveicanfly, the 13‑8 favourite, finally broke her maiden in the Grand Hotel Malahide Irish EBF Fillies Juvenile Race. The Frankel‑bred filly had finished fourth, second and fourth in her first three starts, but a change in tack – a hood for the fourth start – seemed to unlock her potential.
Guided by Ryan Moore, she delivered a dominant five‑length victory, confirming O'Brien's belief that she possesses a high cruising pace and class. "The better the race, the better she will be," O'Brien said.
"In a standard maiden she is already a gear too high – she has size, power, speed and stamina." Finally, O'Brien and Moore teamed up again in the Guidenstown Stud Irish European Breeders' Fund Maiden, this time on Shakespeare, an 8‑15 favourite and son of Dubawi. After solid placed efforts in his first two starts, Shakespeare finally secured his first win, doing so with apparent ease.
O'Brien described the colt as a "lovely big horse" who is still developing, noting that he still has room to grow and could become a versatile performer capable of competing at the highest levels. "He has everything – size, power, quality, speed, stamina – and could be anything," O'Brien concluded. These performances underscore the depth of talent present at the Curragh meeting and highlight the strategic decisions trainers make to nurture confidence, manage weight and select suitable distances. Whether it is Sun Goddess demonstrating a lethal finishing kick, Big Mojo regaining form, or young prospects like Push The Boat Out and Ibelieveicanfly stepping up, the day offered a vivid snapshot of the future of Irish flat racing.