Sun Goddess surged from the back of the field to clinch a spectacular win for Aidan O'Brien in the Group One Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, marking the trainer’s 18th triumph in the race. The filly, who entered as the 5-4 favourite, added her name to a prestigious roll of honour that includes Johannesburg (2001), George Washington (2005), Holy Roman Emperor (2006) and Caravaggio (2016).
Riding under the expert guidance of Ryan Moore, Sun Goddess demonstrated the turn of foot and tenacity that have made her a standout juvenile. The filly is a daughter of Sioux Nation, a mare who herself captured the Phoenix Stakes for the same owners in 2017, underscoring the strength of the bloodline.
Prior to this day, Sun Goddess had already secured two victories over the Curragh’s straight mile, the most recent being a Group Two win that cemented her reputation as a top‑class performer. Between those wins, she finished a close second to George Boughey’s Libertango in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, proving she could hold her own against elite competition.
On race day, stablemate Carry The Flag set a blistering early tempo, stretching the field and testing the stamina of the runners. Moore, aware of his mount’s tactical strengths, allowed Sun Goddess to settle comfortably at the rear while the pace unfolded.
As the field turned into the final two furlongs, the filly began to make her move, slipping inside the rail and accelerating with a smooth, effortless stride. She surged past the leaders in the closing stages, crossing the finish line a length and a quarter ahead of the runner‑up, Folsom Blues.
Aidan O'Brien was effusive in his post‑race comments. “She’s a beautiful fillet,” he said. “She ran well at Naas on her debut, then came back here to win her maiden, and after that she went to Ascot and was a little under‑par – in hindsight, that was probably a learning experience.
She came back a week later and still won, even though she had just been to Ascot. She’s obviously very special and everything has gone right for her since that trip.” He added further insight into her abilities: “She has a lot of gears and a very high cruising speed. Ryan told me they were going fast and when he asked her to go, she just powered away.
She’ll have no problem handling seven furlongs. She’s incredibly exciting to watch.” The victory also highlighted the broader context of the meeting.
Big Mojo, trained by Mick Appleby, capitalised on a lowered weight to capture the FBD Hotels & Resorts Phoenix Sprint Stakes. The four‑year‑old had shown top‑class form the previous season, winning the Sprint Cup at Haydock and finishing a neck behind No Half Measures in the July Cup at Newmarket. Although his early season form had been modest – finishing down the field at York, Royal Ascot and in a second attempt at the July Cup – the Irish run proved a confidence‑boosting win.
Appleby, celebrating his first Irish victory, explained, “We brought him here to rebuild his confidence after a few off‑days. He’s back to his best, and now that his head is in the right place, I expect him to continue performing at the highest level.
He’s as good as ever, just a bit more relaxed, which helps in these tough sprints.” In another noteworthy performance, Michael O’Callaghan’s Kodi Bear colt Push The Boat Out delivered a comfortable win in the Irish EBF Maiden at Guidenstown, despite starting at 16‑1. Trainer O’Callaghan praised the colt’s natural ability, noting, “We’ve always held him in high regard. He’s a bit under‑cooked, but his natural pace and quickening were evident. Colin Keane was impressed and believes the horse can step up into stakes company without trouble.
I expect him to handle another furlong easily and could see him becoming a high‑class stakes contender.” Aidan O’Brien also saw success with his filly Ibelieveicanfly, who finally broke her maiden at the fourth attempt in the Grand Hotel Malahide Irish EBF Fillies Juvenile Race. The Frankel‑daughter, having finished fourth, second and fourth in her first three outings, was equipped with a hood for her latest run. Ryan Moore guided her to a dominant five‑length victory, prompting O’Brien to comment, “The better the race, the better she becomes.
She has an extremely high cruising pace and was a gear too high in a typical maiden. She possesses class, pace, and the willingness to run hard. Ryan was thrilled with her performance.” Further adding to O’Brien’s tally, the Dubawi colt Shakespeare, the 8‑15 favourite, secured a win in the Guidenstown Stud Irish European Breeders’ Fund Maiden.
After two placed efforts in his early starts, the young horse finally delivered a confident performance, prompting his trainer to say, “He’s a lovely, big horse who does everything right. He’s still a bit of a baby, which is why it took him two runs to find his stride. He has immense ability – size, power, quality, speed, stamina – everything you could ask for. He could become anything, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.” Overall, the Curragh meeting showcased a blend of emerging talent and seasoned campaigners, each finding form in the unique conditions of Irish racing.
Sun Goddess’s dramatic comeback win not only reinforced her status as a leading juvenile filly but also highlighted Aidan O’Brien’s knack for developing precocious talent. The performances of Big Mojo, Push The Boat Out, Ibelieveicanfly and Shakespeare further underscored the depth of quality in the field, promising an exciting season ahead for owners, trainers, and racing enthusiasts alike.