The O’Brien family dominated all the G1 races at The Curragh
Aidan celebrated with the magnificent Sun Goddess in the Moyglare Stud Stakes and with Scandinavia in the Irish St. Leger; his sons Joseph and Donnacha completed the sweep thanks to Folsom Blues and Comanche Brave
COUNTY KILDARE, Ireland (Special for Turf Diario).— The O’Brien surname asserted total control over Sunday's proceedings at The Curragh. Aidan, with Scandinavia (Justify) in the Irish St. Leger (G1) and the extraordinary Sun Goddess (Sioux Nation) in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1); Joseph, by way of Folsom Blues(Blue Point) in the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (G1); and Donnacha, propelled by the raw speed of Comanche Brave (Wootton Bassett) in the Flying Five Stakes (G1), split all top-tier events among themselves.
The most breathtaking performance of the afternoon belonged to Sun Goddess, who delivered yet another display well out of the ordinary. The daughter of Sioux Nation crushed Green Empress (Saxon Warrior) by 6 1/2 lengths in the Moyglare under Ryan Moore, reaffirming her status as one of Europe’s premier 2-year-old fillies and arguably one of the most compelling figures of the entire season.
Questions surrounded her ability to handle the 1400 meters on a surface somewhat softer than usual, but she dismissed them with astonishing ease. Traveling with natural rhythm throughout, she accelerated effortlessly when Moore asked for her response, leaving her five rivals behind as though the race had only just begun.
“She looks like a phenomenon, doesn’t she? Everything she’s done has been extraordinary,” acknowledged Aidan O’Brien, who secured his twelfth victory in the Moyglare. The trainer had revealed shortly beforehand that a mild infection had affected several Ballydoyle runners, though Sun Goddess showed no symptoms of any setback.
A winner over colts in the Phoenix Stakes (G1) and later a convincing winner in a lucrative Goffs sales race at York, the filly made her seventh appearance since May and once again responded as if fatigue were nonexistent. She could even reappear in two weeks' time in the Cheveley Park Stakes (G1), as her conditioner noted she emerges from her races virtually unscathed.
Her victory also secured a paid berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), scheduled for October 30 at Keeneland, though her immediate future remains subject to how she recovers. Given her size, strength, and physical frame, Ballydoyle envisions she could prove even better at age 3.
The Phoenix Stakes formline received another massive boost in the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, where Folsom Blues, runner-up to Sun Goddess on that occasion, powered away by 6 lengths to lead a one-two finish for Joseph O’Brien, ahead of Monogram (Kingman).
With Joey Sheridan sitting patiently near the rear, the son of Blue Point launched a sweeping run 400 meters from home. His jockey delayed the final commit as long as possible, but once in the clear, he surged past Florida Bay(Mehmas) and Trean (Bayside Boy) to seal the contest in just a few strides.
“We’ve always held a very high opinion of him,” noted Joseph, who captured his fourth National Stakes following previous victories with Thunder Moon (Night of Thunder), Al Riffa (Wootton Bassett), and Scorthy Champ(Mehmas). The Dewhurst Stakes (G1) looms as the logical next target, though a trip to the United States remains a possibility after he earned automatic qualification for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1).
Monogram also left an encouraging impression in just his second career start. Still green and sluggish out of the gate, he found his stride late to charge home and complete the exacta for his trainer. The Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (G1) and the Dewhurst remain among his options.
The O’Brien juggernaut rolled on in the Flying Five Stakes, where Comanche Brave reaffirmed his credentials as a premier sprinter. The Donnacha O’Brien trainee, a recent winner of the July Cup (G1) at Newmarket, had to wait for racing room, but once a gap opened in the final furlong, he surged with authority to defeat American Affair(Washington DC).
It marked a maiden Irish G1 victory for Billy Loughnane, who remained calm when the favorite appeared pocketed and seized his opening the moment it materialized. Once clear, Comanche Brave closed the deal without apparent effort, demonstrating that 1000 meters brings out his absolute best.
“He did it very well, he’s a very fast horse,” summarized Donnacha, delighted with the progression of a colt who continues to sharpen with time. The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) is now under serious consideration, though his international campaign could also include further travels during the winter. Furthermore, he may remain in training next season.
Compact, powerful, and blessed with explosive acceleration, Comanche Brave now boasts two G1 triumphs and earned his own expenses-paid ticket to Keeneland. His victory also provided redemption for the youngest O’Brienfollowing the unlucky run of A Boy Named Susie (Starspangledbanner) in the Irish Champion Stakes.
The Irish Champions Festival thus concluded under a display of family dominance rarely witnessed in the sport. Aidan O’Brien claimed the premier stamina and juvenile showcases via Scandinavia and Sun Goddess; Josephproduced the brilliant Folsom Blues; and Donnacha provided the speed courtesy of Comanche Brave. Father and sons, four G1s, and an absolute sweep at The Curragh.
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