Sun Goddess enters the Breeders' Cup as a standout European juvenile sensation

Aidan O'Brien considers that she could be the finest two-year-old filly he has ever trained, but the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) features an exceptionally deep field of rivals, headlined by Amusingly, Green Empress, and Domestic Agenda—setting the stage for what promises to be a spectacular contest

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).— Aidan O'Brien has conditioned extraordinary champions, but rarely has he been heard speaking of a filly with as much admiration as Sun Goddess. The daughter of Saxon Warriorwill be the heavy favorite for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), to be run this Friday at Keeneland over 1,600 meters with a $1-million purse.

Asked whether she is the finest two-year-old filly to ever pass through his hands, the Irish master attempted to sidestep such a definitive declaration. He initially called her special, then admitted she likely could be, and ultimately ended up conceding: “Yes, she is.”

The figures fully support such lofty praise. Sun Goddess has won 6 of her 8 starts, including three G1s: the Phoenix Stakes (G1), Cheveley Park Stakes (G1), and Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1). Her first two top-flight victories came over 1,200 meters, with the latter over 1,400 meters—all over straight courses.

Now she faces a two-turn mile, but O'Brien appears unfazed: “She has a huge stride, tremendous speed, and an extraordinary mindset. She is truly different in everything she does,” he explained.

The trainer even drew comparisons to Johannesburg (Hennessy), who in 2001 transitioned from dominating European sprint races to capturing the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) on the dirt.

With Ryan Moore in the irons, Sun Goddess breaks from post 8 and opens as the 6-5 morning-line favorite.

However, the opposition will be formidable. The primary threat looks to be Amusingly (No Nay Never), trained in France by Francis-Henri Graffard, who enters off a victory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1) where she defeated males with a stunning stretch run.

The filly has raced just three times. She made a victorious debut at Compiègne, finished second in the Prix d'Aumale (G2) after encountering severe trouble, and then achieved top-level glory.

In that last outing, she defeated Folsom Blues (Blue Point), a previous G1 winner and key contender for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1).

Colin Keane picks up the mount on Amusingly, whose powerful closing kick could prove particularly lethal if she gets a contested pace upfront.

Another major European presence is Green Empress, winner of the Prix Marcel Boussac (G1) for trainer Joseph O'Brien.

The daughter of Saxon Warrior has already faced Sun Goddess, finishing a three-quarter-length runner-up in June,though she was later beaten six and a half lengths in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1).

Joseph believes that margin was dictated by soft turf conditions and is confident the 1,600 meters will allow her to showcase her best form. She will break from post 1 with Dylan Browne McMonagle.

The same trainer will saddle Alwaysanangel (Harry Angel), who will have Oisin Murphy in the saddle and will look to capitalize on her stretch acceleration as she steps up in distance.

Leading the North American defense is Domestic Agenda (American Pharoah), undefeated in two starts and recent winner of the Miss Grillo Stakes (G3) by more than four lengths.

Her trainer, Chad Brown, has captured this event six times, though he acknowledges the filly is still learning and will need a smooth trip from an outside draw.

Also generating high expectations is Vanta (Greatest Honour), undefeated in three outings for Jeff Mullins, who highlights her extraordinary intellect and versatility.

“I’ve never had a horse like her. She has the mindset of an older horse and can do anything we ask of her,” he stated.

The field also features Serenas Ghost (Girvin), winner of the Jessamine Stakes (G3) at Keeneland; runner-up Seneca Park (Golden Pal); Curracloe (Baaeed); and Citrus Springs (Olympiad), among others.

The injury scratch of Go For Launch (Flightline) paves the way for also-eligible Silent Beauty (Night of Thunder) to draw into the race, bringing the total European contingent to eight.

Sun Goddess arrives with credentials that suggest an exceptional champion in the making, but she will have to prove it against a field of immense depth. If she triumphs, she will take another step toward a privileged place among the greatest fillies to ever pass through the hands of Aidan O'Brien.