Eight of Ireland’s leading two-year-olds will go to post for the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh this Sunday.
The Group 1 contest features runners from six trainers, including Michael O’Callaghan’s Celeron, winner of the Group 2 GAIN Railway Stakes, and Aidan O’Brien’s Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes winner Sun Goddess. O’Brien will also be represented by Carry The Flag.
Folsom Blues and King of Cloughan will represent Joseph O’Brien, who is still seeking his first success in the race as a trainer, having won it twice as a jockey in 2014 and 2015. Meanwhile, Tribeca will aim to provide jockey David Egan with a second consecutive victory in the contest following his success aboard Power Blue last year.
The Paddy Twomey-trained Velozee and Michael Mulvany’s The Scallionator complete the field.
First run in 1902, the six-furlong contest is the first Group 1 race of the European season for two-year-olds and has been won by many notable performers, including Johannesburg, George Washington, Sioux Nation, Lucky Vega and Little Big Bear. Power Blue landed the €400,000 prize last year.
The FBD Hotels & Resorts Phoenix Sprint has attracted a select field of five, headed by Curragh specialist Big Gossey. A strong overseas challenge includes Clive Cox’s James Delight and Mick Appleby’s Big Mojo, winner of last year’s Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup.
A total of 19 runners will line up in the opening Follow Us on Instagram @GuidenstownStud Maiden, while there are 18 declared for the Grand Hotel Malahide Race, 14 for the Guidenstown Stud Maiden, 14 for the Sheehy Motors Volkswagen Handicap, 15 for the Tote Guarantee Never Beaten by SP Handicap and 12 for the Money Back Daily Specials with Tote Handicap, which brings the eight-race programme to a close.
ENDS
GATES OPEN / RACE TIMES
12.00pm
1st race 1.15pm
Last race 5.10pm
1st race 1.15pm
Last race 5.10pm
GROUND
Good to firm, Good in places (watering)
FORECAST
Forecast dry with sunny spells Friday and Saturday, cloud Saturday night into Sunday morning with patches of rain and drizzle 3 to 5 mm in total according to Met Eireann.
TRACK
Middle track with stalls in centre for sprints
ENTRIES
TRANSPORT
Complimentary local return bus service from Kildare Town and Station, sponsored by Manguard Plus, are scheduled to coincide with the main arrival and departure times of the main Irish Rail trains
FREE PARKING
