Sugar Island surprises O’Brien with Curragh success

Aidan O’Brien’s Sugar Island produced a sweet performance on debut to claim the Sycamore Lodge Equine Hospital Irish EBF Fillies Maiden at the Curragh.

With Ryan Moore switching to the daughter of Dubawi following the absence of anticipated favourite Signora, the regally-bred juvenile was sent off at 9-2 for the seven-furlong contest, coming home decisively by half a length.

O’Brien said: “She was really just ready to start off. Ryan said she was green but still won nicely and he liked her.

“She’d have no problem going into a Group race over a mile and you’d like to give her another run before then.

“I thought she’d be still a maiden after this and then we could run her in another maiden. Sometimes it’s easier on them when they can have two runs in maidens.

“She’ll stay a mile and a quarter next year.”