Sun Goddess surged from the back of the field to claim 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 and the promise it shows for the future. The Phoenix Stakes, a Group One contest that has produced a parade of illustrious winners such as Johannesburg (2001), George Washington (2005), Holy Roman Emperor (2006) and Caravaggio (2016), once again added a new star to its roll of honour.
Sun Goddess entered the race as the 5-4 favourite, ridden by veteran jockey Ryan Moore, and she lived up to the lofty expectations placed upon her. The filly is a daughter of Sioux Nation, a mare who herself won the Phoenix Stakes for the same ownership in 2017, so the victory had a touch of familial continuity.
Prior to this race Sun Goddess had already demonstrated her class over the same course and distance, winning both of her earlier starts. Her most recent prep was a Group Two win, and she had also placed second behind George Boughey's Libertango in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, a performance that underscored her ability to compete at the highest level. In the Phoenix Stakes the early tempo was set by stablemate Carry The Flag, who broke sharply and forced the field to settle at a brisk pace.
Moore, aware of Sun Goddess's tactical speed, chose to conserve her energy in the early stages. As the race unfolded, Sun Goddess lingered near the rear, biding her time while the leaders stretched the field.
When the field turned for the final two furlongs, Moore guided her to the inside rail, and she responded with a powerful turn of foot. She surged past the tiring leaders, displaying a smooth, effortless stride that left onlookers in awe. By the time she crossed the finish line, she was a length and a quarter ahead of the runner‑up, Folsom Blues, confirming her dominance. After the race, O'Brien praised his filly, describing her as "a beautiful filly" who had shown consistent improvement.
He noted her maiden win at Naas, her solid showing at Ascot, and the way she bounced back to win at the Curragh just a week later. "She is obviously very special," he said, adding that her performance indicated she could handle longer distances, perhaps seven furlongs, with ease. He highlighted her multiple gears and high cruising speed, qualities that make her an exciting prospect for future Group races. The Phoenix Stakes win also shone a spotlight on other notable performances at the meeting.
Big Mojo, a four‑year‑old colt trained by Mick Appleby, captured the FBD Hotels and Resorts Phoenix Sprint Stakes. The horse, who had previously won the Sprint Cup at Haydock and narrowly missed the July Cup at Newmarket, had endured a difficult start to the season with unplaced runs at York and Royal Ascot. The Curragh run proved a confidence‑boosting victory, as Big Mojo overhauled Bucanero Fuerte by one and a quarter lengths under Tom Marquand. Appleby, celebrating his first Irish winner, explained that the trip to the Curragh was designed to restore the colt's confidence after a string of lackluster performances.
He expressed optimism about future targets, including a return to Haydock and a possible Breeders' Cup sprint, emphasizing that Big Mojo still possesses the class to compete at the very top. In another promising development, Michael O'Callaghan's Kodi Bear colt Push The Boat Out delivered a convincing win in the Irish EBF Maiden at Guidenstown Stud. Sent off at 16‑1, the horse surprised many by quickening sharply and pulling away under Colin Keane. O'Callaghan had long regarded the colt as a high‑potential runner, noting that the horse had been slightly under‑cooked but possessed natural speed and a willingness to travel.
The trainer believes Push The Boat Out could step up to stakes company and possibly stretch out another furlong, indicating a bright future that could see the horse contesting higher‑level events such as the National Stakes. Aidan O'Brien also celebrated success with his filly Ibelieveicanfly, who finally broke her maiden in the Grand Hotel Malahide Irish EBF Fillies Juvenile Race. The daughter of Frankel had placed second, fourth and fourth in her first three starts, and after being fitted with a hood for the latest outing, she exploded into a five‑length victory under Ryan Moore.
O'Brien praised her high cruising pace and class, noting that she thrives when the race is fast‑paced. He suggested that the filly could improve further as she gains experience and that her natural speed makes her a candidate for more challenging contests.
The day also saw O'Brien and Moore team up in the Guidenstown Stud Irish European Breeders' Fund Maiden, where they rode 8‑15 favourite Shakespeare to a comfortable win. The Dubawi‑sired colt had shown promise in his first two starts with placed finishes, and his third attempt proved decisive. O'Brien described Shakespeare as a "lovely big horse" with size, power, quality, speed and stamina, placing him in the "could be anything" category.
He believes the colt still has room to develop and anticipates that he will become a significant presence in future middle‑distance races. Overall, the meeting at the Curragh delivered a blend of established talent and emerging stars. Sun Goddess's thrilling comeback victory not only added another chapter to her family's legacy but also signaled her readiness for higher‑grade contests. Big Mojo's return to winning ways, Push The Boat Out's maiden triumph, Ibelieveicanfly's breakthrough, and Shakespeare's solid performance all point to a vibrant future for the stable.
As the racing calendar progresses, these horses will likely feature prominently in upcoming Group races, and their connections are already plotting campaigns that could see them compete on the international stage, including possible entries in the Breeders' Cup and other prestigious festivals. The excitement generated by these performances underscores the depth of talent present in Irish racing and promises a compelling season ahead for fans and participants alike.