Sun Goddess surged from the back of the field to claim a spectacular win for Aidan O'Brien in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, marking the trainer’s eighteenth triumph in the prestigious Group One event. The race, which has seen legends such as Johannesburg (2001), George Washington (2005), Holy Roman Emperor (2006) and Caravaggio (2016) cross the finish line first, added another star to its roll of honour when Sun Goddess, the 5‑4 favourite, delivered a dazzling performance under the guidance of veteran jockey Ryan Moore. The filly, a daughter of Sioux Nation—who herself captured the same race for O'Brien’s stable in 2017—entered the contest with an impeccable record on the Curragh’s straight mile.
She had already won both of her previous starts over the course and distance, including a Group Two victory that showcased her growing class. Between those two wins she finished a respectable runner‑up to George Boughey’s Libertango in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, proving she could hold her own against top‑level competition.
On race day, stablemate Carry The Flag set a blistering early tempo, prompting Moore to settle Sun Goddess comfortably off the pace. As the field rounded the far side of the track, Moore asked his mount for acceleration. Sun Goddess responded with a smooth, powerful move, slipping inside the final two furlongs and quickly establishing a clear lead.
She crossed the finish line a length and a quarter ahead of Folsom Blues, confirming her status as a rising star in the juvenile division. After the race, 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 went to Ascot 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 run at Ascot.
She’s obviously very special and everything has gone right since that trip." He added that Sun Goddess possesses “a lot of gears and a very high cruising pace,” noting that Moore felt the horse was cruising at a speed that would suit longer distances, saying, "She’ll have no problem getting seven furlongs. She’s very exciting." The Phoenix Stakes win not only bolstered Sun Goddess’s reputation but also underscored O'Brien’s knack for spotting and nurturing top‑class juveniles. The trainer’s comments hinted at future plans for the filly, suggesting that she could be stretched out to seven furlongs or even a mile, where her natural turn of foot and stamina would likely make her a serious contender in the classic season. In other Curragh action, Big Mojo capitalised on a lowered handicap to secure victory in the FBD Hotels & Resorts Phoenix Sprint Stakes.
Mick Appleby’s four‑year‑old sprinter, who had previously dazzled at the highest level by winning the Sprint Cup at Haydock and finishing a neck behind No Half Measures in the July Cup, had endured a string of lackluster performances earlier in the year. After disappointing runs at York, Royal Ascot and a second attempt at the July Cup, the horse found a more suitable challenge in Ireland. Under Tom Marquand, Big Mojo produced a decisive one‑and‑a‑quarter‑length win over Bucanero Fuerte, reaffirming his class.
Appleby, celebrating his first Irish winner, explained that the trip to the Curragh was designed to rebuild the horse’s confidence. "He’s done it well. We brought him here just to give him a bit more confidence, really.
He was lacking a little confidence after the big races he’s run in. Now that he’s got his head back in front, hopefully he’ll do it again.
He’s as good as ever," the trainer said, adding a touch of humour about the horse’s relaxed demeanor. The win also rekindles speculation about a return to Haydock and a potential Breeders’ Cup campaign, as the connections look to place Big Mojo back on the international sprint stage.
Meanwhile, Michael O’Callaghan expressed optimism about Push The Boat Out after a convincing debut in the Irish EBF Maiden at Guidenstown Stud. The 16‑1 outsider, a Kodi Bear colt, displayed a natural burst of speed, accelerating smartly under Colin Keane to secure an easy victory. O’Callaghan had long held the horse in high regard, noting that he may have been “slightly undercooked” but possessed ample natural ability. "He jumped and travelled with a lot of natural pace and quickened up well.
Colin was quite taken by him and said he should have no problem stepping up into stakes company," O’Callaghan said. He added confidence that the colt could handle an additional furlong and evolve into a high‑class stakes performer, with the National Stakes as a potential next target. Aidan O’Brien also celebrated another success, with I Believe I Can Fly (13‑8 favourite) finally breaking her maiden in the Grand Hotel Malahide Irish EBF Fillies Juvenile Race on her fourth attempt.
The Frankel‑by‑blood filly, after finishing fourth, second and fourth in her first three starts, was equipped with a hood for the race. Ryan Moore piloted her to a dominant five‑length victory, prompting O’Brien to comment, "The better the race, the better she is going to be – she has such a high cruising pace. In an ordinary maiden, she is just in a gear too high. She has a lot of class." The trainer’s confidence extended to another of his juveniles, Shakespeare, who contested the Guidenstown Stud Irish European Breeders’ Fund Maiden as the 8‑15 favourite.
The Dubawi son, after two placed efforts, secured his first win without difficulty. O’Brien praised the colt’s size, power and versatility, describing him as a “little baby” who still has room to grow but already possesses the attributes of a potential top‑class performer.
Overall, the Curragh meeting delivered a rich tapestry of stories: a rising star in Sun Goddess, a rejuvenated sprinter in Big Mojo, promising newcomers in Push The Boat Out and I Believe I Can Fly, and a promising colt in Shakespeare. Each performance highlighted the depth of talent in Irish racing and the skill of trainers like Aidan O’Brien and Mick Appleby in developing horses capable of competing on the world stage. The results set the stage for an exciting remainder of the season, with many of these juveniles poised to make an impact in classic races, sprint championships and possibly even international festivals later in the year.