Though Glorious Goodwood is now another racing festival in the rearview mirror, the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes takes place at the Curragh on Saturday, heralding a new dawn. It is the showpiece race of the week and is the first top level contest for the juveniles in Britain and Ireland, being run over 6f at the County Kildare track.
The race has been won in fine style by Little Big Bear and Bucanero Fuerte in the previous two seasons, and representatives of the same owner-trainer combinations may well be present again as 11 stand their ground ahead of Saturday’s feature. For Amo Racing and Adrian Murray, the consistent Arizona Blaze is a standout among his duo, while Aidan O’Brien, who has claimed this title on a remarkable 17 occasions, has five arrows to fire, with Group winner Whistlejacket the principal, although Camille Pissarro and Heavens Gate may also prove significant figures.
Son Joseph also has one who may take part, with recent course and distance scorer Rudi’s Apple a livewire for prospective success. However, it may be that Ger Lyons provides the most substantial ammunition among the home challenge, with Babouche, a filly who is two from two and runs in the Juddmonte colours like 2019 Phoenix winner Siskin, who also represented Lyons.
British trainers won this in both 2018 and 2021. Neither Hugo Palmer or Martyn Meade, the trainers responsible for those victories, boast any entries, but Listed winner Francisco’s Piece is in the race for Adrian Keatley, while carrying the silks of Wathnan Racing may be Shadow Army, who was second in the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly recently.
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