Keeneland Phoenix Stakes
Group 1, Curragh 16:40
€300,000 guaranteed,
2yo only, 6f   
Saturday 12th August 2023

Trainers Quotes

1 Bucanero Fuerte 9/4
2 Porta Fortuna 7/2
3 Givemethebeatboys 10/1
7 ran Distances: 4l, 1½l, shd
Time: 1m 12.53s (slow by 1.83s)

Bucanero Fuerte powered home under Kevin Stott to give trainer Adrian Murray and owners Amo Racing with a first taste of Group One success with an impressive display.

Third behind the unbeaten River Tiber in the Coventry at Royal Ascot, the Wootton Bassett colt had since edged out the reopposing Unquestionable to lift the Group Two Railway Stakes over the Phoenix course and distance.

Unquestionable was the 15-8 favourite for the rematch as he looked to provide Aidan O’Brien with a staggering 18th victory in the race, but Bucanero Fuerte reaffirmed his superiority in no uncertain terms under Kevin Stott.

On the speed from the start, Stott’s mount kicked away from Unquestionable entering the final two furlongs and it was soon all over bar the shouting.

Porta Fortuna, the previously unbeaten Albany Stakes winner, came from further back in an attempt to bridge the gap, but Bucanero Fuerte was well on top and had four lengths in hand at the line.

Stott saluted the crowd on passing the post, having claimed his first top-level win since being appointed number one jockey for owners Amo Racing earlier this year.

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Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Group 1)
6f, €300,000 guaranteed
7 ran
Going: Good, Good to Yielding in places

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (1)    Bucanero Fuerte 2 9-5 Adrian Murray Kevin Stott 9/4
2 (6) 4 Porta Fortuna 2 9-2 Donnacha Aidan O'Brien Oisin Murphy 7/2
3 (2) 1½ Givemethebeatboys 2 9-5 Mrs John Harrington Shane Foley 10/1
4 (3) shd Unquestionable 2 9-5 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 13/8F
5 (4) 1 Gaenari 2 9-2 Diego Dias Gavin Ryan 50/1
6 (5) 6 His Majesty 2 9-5 A P O'Brien Seamie Heffernan 12/1
7 (7) 11 Launch 2 9-2 Adrian Murray Gary Halpin 150/1

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