Sun Goddess surged from the back of the field to clinch Aidan O'Brien's 18th triumph in the Keeneland 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, added her name to a prestigious roll of honour that includes past champions such as Johannesburg (2001), George Washington (2005), Holy Roman Emperor (2006) and Caravaggio (2016). Riding under the experienced hands of Ryan Moore, Sun Goddess lived up to the high expectations placed upon her.
The daughter of Sioux Nation—who herself won the same Phoenix Stakes for the O'Brien stable in 2017—had already proven her class over the Curragh’s straight. She had secured victories in each of her two previous outings at the track and distance, highlighted by a Group Two win in her most recent start. Between those wins she had been placed second in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, finishing just behind George Boughey’s Libertango, a performance that hinted at her ability to compete at the highest level.
On race day, stablemate Carry The Flag set a blistering early tempo, allowing Moore to settle Sun Goddess comfortably behind the leaders. As the field turned into the home straight, Moore guided the filly to the inside rail, where she began to accelerate. In the final two furlongs she displayed a smooth, powerful stride, overtaking the leaders with ease.
She crossed the finish line a length and a quarter ahead of Folsom Blues, confirming her superiority and delivering a decisive win for the O'Brien operation. After the race, Aidan O'Brien praised the filly, saying, "She’s a beautiful filly.
She ran well at Naas on her first day, then came back here to win her maiden, and then she went to Ascot and was probably a little under par, with the benefit of hindsight. Then she came back here a week later and won again, even though she had just been at Ascot. She’s obviously very special and everything has gone right since Ascot." He went on to note her versatility, adding, "She has a lot of gears and a very high cruising pace. Ryan said they went fast and when he asked her she motor‑cleared.
She’ll have no problem handling seven furlongs. She’s very exciting." The victory was part of a broader day of racing news that included other notable performances. Big Mojo, a four‑year‑old colt trained by Mick Appleby, captured the FBD Hotels & Resorts Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh. The horse, who had previously won the Sprint Cup at Haydock and finished a close second to No Half Measures in the July Cup at Newmarket, had endured a string of lackluster runs earlier in the season.
However, under Tom Marquand, he rebounded with a one‑and‑a‑quarter‑length win over Bucanero Fuerte, demonstrating that he still possessed top‑class speed. Appleby hinted at future plans that could see Big Mojo return to Haydock and potentially contest the Breeders' Cup, emphasizing the confidence the trainer now has in his horse after the Curragh success.
In another promising story, Michael O'Callaghan expressed optimism about Push The Boat Out after the colt's impressive debut in the Irish EBF Maiden at Guidenstown Stud. Starting at 16‑1, the Kodi Bear‑bred horse showed a natural turn of foot, accelerating sharply to secure a comfortable victory under Colin Keane.
O'Callaghan explained that the colt had been slightly under‑cooked in training but possessed innate speed and stamina. He believes the horse could handle an extra furlong and may develop into a high‑class stakes competitor, with the National Stakes next on the agenda. Aidan O'Brien also celebrated the success of his filly Ibelieveicanfly, who finally broke her maiden in the Grand Hotel Malahide Irish EBF Fillies Juvenile Race.
The Frankel daughter, after finishing fourth, second and fourth in her first three starts, was fitted with a hood for the race and responded by winning decisively by five lengths with Ryan Moore aboard. O'Brien lauded her high cruising speed, noting that she thrives when the pace is strong and that she has a “gear too high” for a typical maiden race, indicating a level of class beyond her current class. The day concluded with O'Brien and Moore pairing again in the Guidenstown Stud Irish European Breeders Fund Maiden, where they guided 8‑15 favourite Shakespeare, a son of Dubawi, to a comfortable victory.
Shakespeare had shown promise in his first two starts with placed efforts and finally delivered a win on his third attempt. O'Brien described the colt as a “lovely big horse who does everything right,” adding that despite still being a “baby,” he possesses the size, power, speed, and stamina to become a versatile performer capable of excelling at many distances. Overall, the Phoenix Stakes meeting at the Curragh offered a snapshot of emerging talent and established stars alike, underscoring the depth of Irish flat racing.
Sun Goddess’s dramatic come‑from‑behind win, coupled with the strong showings from Big Mojo, Push The Boat Out, Ibelieveicanfly and Shakespeare, highlighted the quality of training, the strategic acumen of the jockeys, and the potential for these horses to make an impact on the international stage in the months ahead. The day’s results will undoubtedly shape the early season plans for owners, trainers and racing enthusiasts, as they look forward to the next set of Group races and the opportunities they present for these promising thoroughbreds.