As the first Group One race of the season for two-year-olds, the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh is always contested by top-class juveniles.
Past winners of the six-furlong event include Turtle Island, Fasliyev, George Washington, Holy Roman Emperor, Air Force Blues, Caravaggio and Little Big Bear.
With another strong line-up entered for Sunday , we’ve rated each of the eight runners in reverse order for our Phoenix Stakes 2026 tips.
The Scallionator
8. THE SCALLIONATOR
Michael Mulvany has aimed high with this son of Calyx since a convincing Listowel victory but he has so far had his limitations exposed when down the field in the Coventry Stakes and a one-paced fourth here at the same Group Two level.
Carry the Flag
7. CARRY THE FLAG
Looks to be Aidan O’Brien’s second string after being well beaten in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Railway Stakes here, but he did earlier beat stablemate Sun Goddess on her Naas debut and ran well for a long way when second to Great Barrier Reef over this course and distance.
Tribeca
6. TRIBECA
Another who struggled at Royal Ascot but the Navan maiden winner put in a more encouraging effort when second to Celeron in the Railway Stakes and ambitious owners Amo Racing have claimed this prize twice in the last three years via Bucanero Fuerte and last season’s 10/1 scorer Power Blue.
Velozee
5. VELOZEE
After an early double strike, Paddy Twomey’s filly has been pitched in at the deep end and was not disgraced in a red-hot Queen Mary Stakes at the Royal meeting before returning to Ascot for a respectable third in Group Three company. Must find more to prevail at this level, though.
King of Cloughan
4. KING OF CLOUGHAN
Joseph O’Brien’s charge sprang a 33/1 surprise in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Ascot and may have bumped into a smart rival when second to Tokaido in the Group Two Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly , so can’t be ruled out.
Folsom Blues
3. FOLSOM BLUES
Created a big impression when making all to strike by a wide margin at Gowran Park and then put in another fine effort to chase home Florida Bay in the Group Three Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown , but both of those runs were over further and his speed may be tested in such hot company.
Celeron
2. CELERON
Michael O’Callaghan’s stable star made amends for disappointing in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot by running away with the Group Two Railway Stakes here. The big question is whether he would now be better off stepping up to seven furlongs, but a strong run is expected.
Sun Goddess
1. SUN GODDESS
Her sire Sioux Nation claimed this prize for Ballydoyle in 2017 and there is every chance of family honour being upheld this weekend, which would give Aidan O’Brien a record-extending 18 th Phoenix Stakes success.
On the back of a five-length maiden victory here, Sun Goddess was made favourite for the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot but had to settle for being second best of the 25 runners behind Libertango . However, she returned to winning ways with a cosy Group Two success at the Curragh last time out and has rock-solid credentials.
Betting Tips
Phoenix Stakes Betting Tips
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