Murphy banking on Celeron repeat in Phoenix

Oisin Murphy is relishing getting aboard Michael O’Callaghan’s Celeron again when the exciting youngster searches for top honours in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

The British champion jockey partnered the son of Mohaather to an impressive Railway Stakes success over course and distance last time out and the colt now attempts to follow in the footsteps of subsequent Classic winner Siskin (2019) and Bucanero Fuerte (2023) who have both done the Railway Stakes/Phoenix Stakes double in the last 10 years.

Murphy said: “I thought Celeron was very good the last day at the Curragh, he had pace to run at and really went to the line well.

“He’s a horse Michael O’Callaghan feels is only going to improve as he steps up in trip and he’s drawn eight of eight, but hopefully it’s a nice fair race.

“He’s the highest rated in the field and I’m really looking forward to riding him.”

Despite Celeron being clear of Sun Goddess on official figures, it is Aidan O’Brien’s talented filly who is likely to head off favourite for the Group One contest the Ballydoyle team have won a record 17 times, most recently with Little Big Bear in 2022.

Having gone close in the Albany at Royal Ascot the daughter of Sioux Nation got back to winning ways in the Group Two Airlie Stud Stakes in late June. Carry The Flag is also in action for O’Brien.

The in-form Joseph O’Brien will saddle both Folsom Blues and his Windsor Castle winner King Of Cloughan who went close in the Prix Robert Papin next time.

Robson De Aguiar’s Tribeca got closest to Celeron in the Railway Stakes and represents last year’s winning owners Amo Racing, while Paddy Twomey’s Princess Margaret Stakes third Velozee and Michael Mulvaney’s The Scallionator complete a field of eight.

De Aguiar holds a strong hand in the supporting FBD Hotels And Resorts Phoenix Sprint Stakes where defending champion Bucanero Fuerte is among a host of Curragh sprinting regulars in the Group Three event.

Charles O’Brien’s Big Gossey and Fozzy Stack’s Bodhi Bear are the others to frequently compete at the Kildare track with the former proving in rude health this term at the ripe age of nine.

However, Clive Cox’s James’s Delight is another to enjoy his visits to the home of Irish racing and the raiding team arrive having seen the form of his Greenlands Stakes third given a handsome boost when Comanche Brave won the July Cup.

Cox said: “His form has been boosted and we’re very pleased by that. We’ve Dylan Browne McMonagle on board again who rode him last time and both the jockey and our lad seem in excellent form.

“He seems to enjoy his trips to the Emerald Isle and hopefully he can enjoy it once again, he’s in good order.”

Mick Appleby’s Big Mojo adds further British interest in a select field of five.