The pick of the weekend action came over in Ireland as the Curragh played host to the 2025 edition of the Phoenix Stakes meeting. As ever, the relentless Aidan O’Brien sent a strong squad to the County Kildare track, including the market leaders for the two signature events.
The meeting began ominously for those hoping to deny O’Brien further Group race success, with the master of Ballydoyle winning two of the opening three contests on the card. However, against market expectations, O’Brien missed the target in the headline contests as Amo Racing, Adrian Murray, and David Egan stole the show.
Keeneland Phoenix Stakes: Power Leaves Love Feeling Blue
| Pos. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Power Blue | Adrian Murray | David Egan | 10/1 |
| 2nd | True Love | Aidan O’Brien | Ryan Moore | 1/4 |
| 3rd | Green Sense | Joseph Patrick O’Brien | Dylan Browne McMonagle | 12/1 |
| 4th | Puerto Rico | Aidan O’Brien | Wayne Lordan | 13/2 |
| 5th | Do Bronxs | David Loughnane | Declan McDonogh | 100/1 |
Having saddled no fewer than 17 Phoenix Stakes winners, Aidan O’Brien had held a vicelike grip on the first Group 1 contest of the season for the youngsters.
With Coventry Stakes champ Gstaad and Queen Mary Stakes heroine True Love dominating the market, few predicted anything other than yet another win for the Coolmore-backed operation.
The late withdrawal of Gstaad (off feed) did little to alter the general consensus, with the filly True Love sent off as the 1/4 favourite. Having finished well clear of the reopposing Puerto Rico and Power Blue over this course and distance in July, the mount of Ryan Moore would surely be hard to beat.
For much of the 6f contest, events unfolded as expected. David Egan and Power Blue kicked into an early lead and set off to make the running, while Moore and True Love sat off the pace. Power Blue still held the lead at the furlong pole and looked to have fended off the Ballydoyle second string, Puerto Rico. However, True Love loomed large on the outside and appeared set to kick clear just as she had in the Railway Stakes.
However, Power Blue chose this moment to tear up the script. Rather than give way to the red-hot favourite, the strapping colt found more when challenged to repel True Love in determined fashion. 5¾l adrift of True Love in their previous clash, he turned that form on its head to score by 1½-lengths.
This marked a landmark victory for David Egan, who recorded his first Group 1 success for his main employers, Amo Racing. It was also a red-letter day for the Godolphin stallion Space Blues, who registered his first top-level victory as a sire. As for Power Blue, he may get the chance to confirm this form in next month’s National Stakes back at the Curragh.
FBD Hotels And Resorts Phoenix Sprint Stakes: Bucanero Returns in Style
| Pos. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Bucanero Fuerte | Adrian Murray | David Egan | 11/2 |
| 2nd | My Mate Alfie | Ger Lyons | Gary Carroll | 8/1 |
| 3rd | Kind Of Blue | James Fanshawe | Daniel Muscutt | 17/2 |
| 4th | Art Power | Tim Easterby | David Allan | 18/1 |
| 5th | Nighteyes | David O’Meara | Ben Coen | 14/1 |
| 6th | Vespertilio | Willie McCreery | Wayne Lordan | 11/1 |
| 7th | Babouche | Ger Lyons | Colin Keane | 10/3 |
| 8th | Big Gossey | Charles O’Brien | Ronan Whelan | 33/1 |
| 9th | Spycatcher | Karl Burke | Clifford Lee | 18/1 |
| 10th | Lady With The Lamp | Joseph Patrick O’Brien | Dylan Browne McMonagle | 25/1 |
| 11th | Ides Of March | Aidan O’Brien | Ryan Moore | 5/2 |
| 12th | Black Forza | Michael O’Callaghan | Shane Foley | 50/1 |
Just over 30 minutes before their Group 1 heroics, Amo Racing had their name up in lights following the main event on the undercard. The star of the show was their 2023 Phoenix Stakes winner Bucanero Fuerte.
Considering he boasted a Group 1 win over course and distance on his CV, Bucanero Fuerte had an obvious chance of claiming this Group 3 event. However, much water has flowed under the bridge since that 2023 victory. In the intervening years, the Wootton Bassett colt has endured two extensive absences from the track, a failed career at stud, and a bout of colic.
A Listed success on his return in May suggested the ability remained, but he stepped into deeper waters following an 83-day absence for this assignment. With Group 1 winners Art Power, Babouche, and Kind Of Blue among the opposition, in addition to Aidan O’Brien’s two-time course and distance winner, Ides Of March, Bucanero Fuerte would need to be at his best.
Following the same tactics that would later prove so successful in the Phoenix Stakes, David Egan grabbed the lead when the stalls opened. Still in front two furlongs from home, Bucanero Fuerte appeared to travel much the best. My Mate Alfie and Art Power launched their challenges towards the far rail, while Kind Of Blue came with a run down the outside. However, just as they threatened to reel in the leader, the tough Bucanero Fuerte found more to post an impressive 1¼-length victory.
This represented a first Phoenix Sprint Stakes win for Murray, Egan, and Amo Racing, kicking off a spectacular afternoon. Now firmly back in the winning groove, Bucanero Fuerte may make his next appearance in the Flying Five Stakes in September.
Connections Delighted
Any punters who placed their faith in Amo Racing were rewarded with a 70.5/1 double in the big races, providing reason to join the celebrations of David Egan, who stated:
“It’s fantastic, a mega day. It’s my first Group 1 for Amo, which is huge for myself and the team.”
Adrian Murray was similarly jubilant, with the Westmeath handler noting:
“I’ve never had a better day in racing. The two horses looked amazing today.”
One of the biggest players at the sales in recent years, the investment of Kia Joorabchian and Amo Racing is now beginning to pay off in a big way at the track. With several entries in the big races remaining in 2025, this Phoenix double may be the next step in the operation’s rise to the summit.
