With Benvenuto Cellini taking Aidan O’Brien’s Irish Derby (G1) tally to 18, the onus is now on Sun Goddess to strike in the Aug. 9 Phoenix Stakes (G1) and restore parity between two races the trainer has historically dominated.
The 27-time Irish champion has produced just a single Phoenix winner in the last eight runnings, with his previous 16 victories in the race coming in a supreme spell between 1998 and 2017, but he has the market leader in Sun Goddess, who bids to become his first filly to win the race.
The Sioux Nation filly—whose sire won this race for O’Brien n 2017—was an emphatic winner of her course-and-distance maiden in May and followed that with what looked like a good effort in the Albany Stakes (G3) at Royal Ascot, where she hung when pressure was applied and ultimately failed to land her 10-11 odds by a length.
However, the form of that group 3 has been knocked to pieces since. Taking Sun Goddess out, the rest of the top four were beaten favorites next time and got nowhere near their Ascot Racing Post Rating.
The Ballydoyle contender bucked that trend when winning the Airlie Stud Stakes (G2) on her subsequent outing in fairly comfortable fashion. Mind you, odds of 2-7 reflected a thin contest and she did not need to step forward to win. Nonetheless, Sun Goddess’ trainer reports her in top condition for her first crack at a group 1.
O’Brien said: “She’s had a nice bit of time since her win and we’re happy with everything she has done. We think she’s come forward.”
Those words will have to prove true Sunday, as a run to her rating is unlikely to be enough for Sun Goddess. With her fillies’ allowance taken into account, she must find 6 pounds to match the top-rated Celeron .
READ: Celeron Seeks Breeders’ Cup Bid in Phoenix Stakes
His mark comes courtesy of a taking victory in the Railway Stakes (G2) last time, where he resumed winning ways after he blew the start and ran disappointingly in the Windsor Castle Stakes.
It was not the first time that the Mohaather colt was associated with starting issues. His intended debut at Navan was swiftly abandoned after he refused to enter the stalls, but he returned a month later to easily win his maiden at the Curragh.
Consequently, he is unbeaten over the Phoenix course and distance. And while his trainer Michael O’Callaghan is keen to step him up to 7 furlongs soon, he will have zero complaints if Celeron can secure a landmark first group 1 for the yard by sticking to 6.
Joseph O’Brien plays second fiddle in the market, an increasingly rare position for him given the campaign he has enjoyed so far, but that is not to say his two contenders are without a shot.
Dylan Browne McMonagle has chosen the Gowran maiden winner Folsom Blues , who was perhaps left with a bit too much to do when not beaten far in a Leopardstown group 3 last time and any rain would aid his chances.
On strict form, King of Cloughan has 7 1/4 lengths in hand over Celeron after he ran out a surprise winner of the Windsor Castle. However, his progression stalled when beaten at Chantilly last time out.