G2 success for City Of Memphis caps big weekend

An impressive performance by City Of Memphis in the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes capped a big day at the Curragh for Avenue Bloodstock.

Her win came hot on the heels of Sun Goddess’ wide-margin win in the 6f fillies’ maiden – a race won last year by fellow Avenue purchase Balantina, who went on to land the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

City Of Memphis lined up at the Curragh for Paddy Twomey fresh off a win in the Group 3 Mutamakina Stakes at Leopardstown. She was always travelling well for Billy Lee and put matters to rest quickly when asked, quickening clear of Carolina Jetstream for a length win.

Now the winner of four of her five starts for the Zinlo Syndicate, City Of Memphis was purchased by Avenue Bloodstock from Katie Walsh at the 2024 Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale at Fairyhouse.

“I like this race as it is a suitable one for the type of filly we train,” said Paddy Twomey. “This filly came from Katie Walsh as a breezer and, to be fair, the breeze-ups have been very good to us and I came from that sphere myself.

“Alan (O’Flynn, member of the family syndicate) said to target the breeze-ups from the get-go and he has been very lucky and is getting his reward.

“She is a classy filly and it worked out today. After her Guineas run, I said that we’d leave her alone until her four-year-old year and I’d say she is now a Group 1 filly.

“She won’t go to Ascot but I’ll be looking at races like the Prix Maurice De Gheest, Prix Rothschild, the Matron, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Mile, those kind of races.”

Alan O’Flynn added: “We dream of days like this, it doesn’t always work and we’re delighted. It is a great team effort in the yard and she has kept progressing and progressing, having had a few setbacks last year. Billy gave her a gorgeous ride and she is really good.”

City Of Memphis was bred by the Decorative Syndicate out of the winning Danehill Dancer mare Decorative.

She is a daughter of Coolmore’s Sioux Nation, as is Sun Goddess.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained filly looked every inch a Royal Ascot prospect as she powered five lengths clear of her rivals under Ryan Moore.

“She could be an Albany filly if she knows enough,” said O’Brien. “But Ryan said she is still very green between the two and the one (furlong markers) but then she started to go again after that.”

Sun Goddess was bought on behalf of connections by Avenue Bloodstock from the draft of her breeder Owenstown Stud at last year’s Goffs Premier Sale.

Their wins came on the same weekend that another purchase, Wapeka, won the Listed Tattersalls Golden Mile at Klampenborg for owner ScanVet Stallions and trainer Flemming Velin.

The well-bred son of Dubawi was purchased out of last year’s Arqana Arc Sale from Jamie Railton’s draft.