Ger Lyons, the renowned trainer, is optimistic that his champion two-year-old filly, Babouche, will earn victory in the upcoming Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, boasting a €350,000 prize this Saturday. This would make Babouche the first filly to triumph in the event in 13 years.
The first European Group One event of the juvenile season has seen male horses in the lead since La Collina’s surprising win at 33-1 in 2011, under the stewardship of Kevin Prendergast. Despite the efforts of 11 fillies since then, all have fallen short in the six-furlong race. The previous year saw Porta Fortuna achieve second place behind Bucanero Fuerte, while So Perfect was runner-up to Advertise in 2028. Meanwhile, in 2020, Aloha Star was demoted from second to third place by the race officials.
Despite these statistics, Lyons remains resolute in his plan to put Babouche to the test this weekend at top-tier level. Previously in 2019, Lyons tasted success with Siskin, also clad in Juddmonte colours, at the Phoenix.
Lyons emphatically argued on Monday, “If you have the best horse, whether a filly or colt, you stand a chance in these races.” He referenced Prendergast’s victory with La Collina and stated that numbers can be interpreted however one likes.
One statistic worth nothing is that champion trainer Aidan O’Brien has won the Phoenix an astonishing 17 times, making this award the most lucrative of any on his extensive list of record-breaking achievements.
O’Brien indicated on Monday that his main hope for the upcoming Saturday is the colt Whistlejacket, who triumphed at the July Stakes. The final declarations will be made on Thursday, after Tuesday’s acceptance stage, which will provide further insight into the competition.
Following a triumphant debut at Cork, Babouche defeated her male rivals at the Curragh, prevailing over another Ballydoyle horse, Camille Pissarro, by half a length in the Group Three Anglesey Stakes.
Lyons communicated that our expectations weren’t to face a defeat when we went there. He believed she would put up a performance, which she fulfilled. With this experience, she learned a great deal. Winning the maiden in Cork as she did was radically different from taking a step forward to challenge others. Being too raw might have caused her loss, he commented. He also indicated that this season’s female two-year-old horses may overshadow the colts given the evidence so far, including Red Letter, another of his admirable Juddmonte owned horses.
He made a point that it might seem simplistic to say that the female category is quite powerful this year compared to the male one. But he knows the fillies he possesses are superior to the colts. He also mentioned owning Babouche and Red Letter, who have a worth that no one would want to trade. Would one exchange them for Aidan’s grey Frankel [Bedtime Story] who claimed victory in Leopardstown and triumphed by nine lengths in Ascot? According to Lyons, it could likely turn into a year where fillies outperform.
Last month’s Curragh maiden winner, Red Letter has made a substantial impression. She varies from others usually, according to her trainer. He wouldn’t rule out the possibility that she may not compete again during her second year. But, if she does, it will likely be her only competition, which may be the Debutante or the Moyglare.
Due to a delay for the following weekend’s Prix Morny at Deauville, one of the leading two-year-olds, named Shareholder, won’t show up at the Curragh. The colt, trained by Karl Burke, secured victory in the Royal Ascot’s Norfolk Stakes in June by defeating Whistlejacket. He improves as per his trainer..
Richard Brown, who advises the Wathnan ownership on European racing suggests the colt is in good condition, and he has grown and strengthened. He was given the needed rest post-Ascot, and all signs point towards the Morny. James [Doyle] is going to test the his riding skills this week, and it will be his first attempt since Ascot. As long as everything proceeds as planned, it will certainly head to the Morny.
Brown made mention of his highly impressive colt, indicating anticipation about its performance over six furlongs and an expectation for a formidable burst of speed. The experienced jockey, Séamus Heffernan, who had success with two of O’Brien’s Phoenix winners before ending his collaboration with the celebrated trainer earlier in the season, will participate in the upcoming Shergar Cup in Ascot, representing the British and Irish team on Saturday.
Heffernan, 52, will team up with up-and-coming youth Billy Loughnane and the Cork-born equestrian, Tadhg O’Shea, who has been assigned as team captain. During Tuesday evening’s national competition at the Roscommon, the talented mare named Kilashee plans to attempt her fourth consecutive win in the first handicap chase. The mare, owned by John Ryan, celebrated a trio of victories within a span of 11 days the previous month, including a win at the Killarney fences. Her rating has risen by 13lbs as a result.