Three-time UK champion jockey Ryan Moore is on track to land both UK Group 1 features over this weekend.
Today in Ireland, Aidan O’Brien saddles two of the six runners in the Gr1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (17h35).
Ryan Moore
Run at the Curragh over six-furlongs, the Ballydoyle handler goes for a remarkable 18th victory in the juvenile Group 1.
Whistlejacket, the mount of Ryan Moore, bounced back from his shock Royal Ascot defeat with victory in the Gr2 July Stakes last month at Newmarket.
The No Nay Never colt won comfortably, and the form was boosted by the third placed runner Aomori City who subsequently ran out a facile winner of the Gr2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last month.
He is one of two Ballydoyle runners as Heavens Gate is set to make a rapid reappearance to action. The filly was an impressive winner of the Ballyhane Stakes at Naas on Monday. Moore was aboard her there but has opted for the colt here.
Another filly, the Juddmonte-owned Babouche heads the opposition as she bids to maintain her unbeaten record. Trained by Ger Lyons, she has been faultless in two career starts, including winning the Anglesey Stakes at this track last time.
Adrian Murray saddled Bucanero Fuerte to score last season and relies on Arizona Blaze, who finished third in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot before filling the same spot behind Henri Matisse in the Railway Stakes.
Richard Fahey saddles the sole British raider Shadow Army for owners Wathnan Racing. He finished second in Group 2 company at Chantilly last month, but this looks tougher.
On Sunday, Moore will replace Kieran Shoemark on Inspiral in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois at Deauville (15h04).
Inspiral is bidding to become the first horse to win the €1 million Group 1 three times having landed the last two runnings under jockey Frankie Dettori.
This season Kieran Shoemark has been aboard the five-year-old daughter of Frankel. In both the Lockinge and when upped to 10 furlongs for the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot she has failed to shine, and owners Cheveley Park Stud have now called up Ryan Moore in an attempt to land the hattrick.
Royal Ascot-winning pair Charyn and Haatem are expected to be among the opposition, as well as French Guineas winner Metropolitan, in what looks a top-class renewal.
