Keeneland Phoenix Stakes |
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| Group 1, Curragh 16:35 €350,000 guaranteed, 2yo only, 6f  |
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1 Babouche 5/2
2
Whistlejacket 8/13F
3
Arizona Blaze 16/1
5 ran NR: Heavens Gate Distances: 1½l, 1¾l, 1¾l
Time: 1m 9.33s (fast by 1.57s)
Babouche continues to impress and flies home to beat off her rivals in the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes, taking the top prize for Ger Lyons!@ctkjockey | @JuddmonteFarms pic.twitter.com/PEYo1gHizT
— The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) August 10, 2024
The Ger Lyons-trained Babouche triumphed in a thrilling duel with Aidan O’Brien’s Whistlejacket, preventing the Ballydoyle trainer from securing his 18th win in this Group One event.
Owned by Juddmonte, like Lyons’ previous Phoenix Stakes winner Siskin, Babouche exuded class throughout the race. Jockey Colin Keane appeared to have everything under control.
Ryan Moore, aboard Whistlejacket, who had impressively won the July Stakes at Newmarket, attempted to set the pace. However, Babouche was always poised on his inside. When Moore increased the tempo, Keane effortlessly moved up alongside on the only filly in the race.
As the race reached its climax, Babouche responded brilliantly, accelerating smoothly to secure a comfortable one-and-a-half-length victory as the 5-2 favourite.
Lyons said: “I was more nervous before the Anglesey than today as she was quiet before the Anglesey. Before Cork she was telling us how good she was.
“She learned more here (in the Anglesey) than she did in Cork. We wondered if she was good enough today and she’s answered that in spades.
“She’ll stay over this (six-furlong) trip until she tells us otherwise. We’ll take her home and see how she is and at the minute I’d say it will be the Cheveley Park and that will be her done for the year. Colin said there is no rush to step her up at the moment, she has plenty of speed.
“These horses are hard to find, but when we find them, or lads like us find them, we can do it. The whole thing about winning Group One races is sourcing the horse.
“There is only one outfit on the planet that can source the horse consistently and that is Aidan’s, but when the rest of us get the chance we can do it.
“The fillies are definitely well ahead of the colts this year and it’s nice when they deliver.”
Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Group 1)
6f, €350,000 guaranteed
5 ran
Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (3) Babouche 2 9-2 G M Lyons Colin Keane 5/2
2 (2) 1½ Whistlejacket 2 9-5 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 8/13F
3 (4) 1¾ Arizona Blaze 2 9-5 Adrian Murray David Egan 16/1
4 (1) 1¾ Shadow Army 2 9-5 Richard Fahey James Doyle 14/1
5 (5) 2¼ Rudi's Apple 2 9-5 Joseph O'Brien Dylan Browne McMonagle 16/1
NR 6 (6) Heavens Gate 2 9-2 A P O'Brien NON RUNNER
