‘She’s very special’ – Group 1 glory for yearling purchase Sun Goddess

Sun Goddess confirmed her place as one of the season’s top 2yos for the Coolmore partners and Aidan O’Brien with a brilliant display to take the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes over colts at the Curragh on Sunday.

One of three runners in the race – the first 2yo Group 1 event of the year in Europe – purchased by Avenue Bloodstock on behalf of various connections, Sun Goddess made stealthy progress from the rear of the field under Ryan Moore to take command a furlong out and win well from Folsom Blues. In the process, she emulated her sire Sioux Nation, who won this race in 2017.

Fellow Avenue Bloodstock purchase Velozee ran a cracker in third for Paddy Twomey.

Purchased by Avenue Bloodstock on behalf of M V Magnier from her breeder Owenstown Stud at last year’s Goffs Premier Sale in Doncaster, Sun Goddess looked a smart prospect early on when breaking her maiden at the Irish Guineas meeting. She subsequently ran a fine second in a 25-runner Group 3 Albany Stakes before landing a deserved stakes success in the Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes at the Curragh.

“She’s very special,” said Aidan O’Brien. “She’s such a good-looking, slick filly. She won very easily here and then before Royal Ascot, she had a foot bruise for a few days and we felt when she got to front there, she tired a bit. We took a chance and ran her back here a week later for the Group 2 here and she won on pure ability.

“She had a good run into this, her work was beautiful. Ryan was very patient and confident on her today, and he said when he asked her, she ended up getting there too early and then she went again. She’s obviously very high quality.

“She could go to the Moyglare, Cheveley Park or then America. When they have physical scope, are clear winded and with a mind like that, then a mile shouldn’t be a problem.”

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.

As for Velozee, also by Sioux Nation, she backed up her recent placing in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes with an excellent third. Previously successful in the Listed First Flier Stakes, this tough filly races for Gary Matthews, Steve Weston and Lucky Hat.