‘An incredible filly’ – Sun Goddess brilliant in Cheveley Park

Sun Goddess confirmed her place as the dominant 2yo filly of 2026 with a brilliant display to win the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday, her third Group 1 success.

A £120,000 yearling purchase by Avenue Bloodstock at last year’s Goffs Premier Sale on behalf of the Coolmore partners, Sun Goddess came into the race having run away with the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes on her most recent start at the Curragh. Prior to that, the daughter of Sioux Nation had been similarly dominant in winning the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes against colts, Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes and Harry’s Half Million by Goffs.

In all, she boasts a record of six wins for almost £1 million in prize-money.

On Saturday, Sun Goddess raced in touch with the leaders under Ryan Moore and once shaken up, showed her customary powerful turn of foot to run down Libertango and win going away. In the process, she broke the track record.

Aidan O’Brien labelled the filly ‘a freak’ following her win in the Moyglare and was similarly effusive at Newmarket.

“Sun Goddess is an incredible filly,” he said. “It was a big ask for her today having run over seven furlongs on soft ground last time and she was going to be very vulnerable. She’s very special and she should get a mile easily. She’s very unusual and looks a freak to be doing what she’s doing. I can’t remember having one with that speed and distance range before.”

Ryan Moore added: “The race worked out perfectly for her. She’s become a real professional and makes my life very easy. She had a strong gallop in front of her and managed to get into a nice rhythm. She struggled for a little bit down the Dip but when she hit the rising ground she found plenty. I felt the race went against her at Royal Ascot, and Aidan [O’Brien, trainer] said she maybe had a little issue before the race, but she’s been faultless really all year. She’s tough, uncomplicated and seems to thrive on racing.”

Sun Goddess races for Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Westerberg. She was bred by Owenstown Stud out of the Starspangledbanner mare Etoile Bleu, a half-sister to Group 2 winner Gibraltar Blue from the immediate family of the recent Group 1 Prix Jean Prat winner Thesecretadversary.

She is the second Cheveley Park Stakes winner in four runnings to be associated with Avenue Bloodstock following Champion Porta Fortuna.