Group 1 success for Ballydoyle Juveniles section

Top 40 entry Distant Storm returned from a break of 78 days to win a Group 3 at Deauville on Sunday. Charlie Appleby's colt was placed in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas during the spring and was given a break afterwards. Billy Loughnane was on board at the Curragh and the young rider retained the ride here. Positioned in behind the leaders, the Night of Thunder colt was pulled to the outside early in the homestraight. The Godolphin owned runner still had plenty to do approaching the final furlong before quickening up smartly to reel in Grand Son of Dark close home. A length separated the pair with his trainer suggesting a step up in trip could be in the offing. A half-brother to a ten furlongs winner, his style of racing suggests he will get further.

The Ballydoyle Juveniles section in AOTF has been in splendid form in recent weeks and there were two more winners at the Curragh on Sunday. The highlight was provided by Sun Goddess, who provided Aidan O'Brien with his eighteenth victory in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes. The daughter of Sioux Nation showed a good turn of foot to led inside the final furlong before staying on strongly to score by a length and a quarter. Runner-up in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at the Royal meeting, she reportedly missed a few days work beforehand and may not have been at her best. The Ballydoyle filly holds entries in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York (20th August) and Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes (13th September). The latter looks a strong possibility with her trainer believing she will stay seven furlongs. 

Earlier on the card, Shakespeare got off the mark at the third time of asking in the seven furlongs maiden - a race which has been won by subsequent Group 1 winners Thunder Moon (2020), Al Riffa (2022) and Delacroix (2024). A big powerful colt by Dubawi out of Group 1 winning mare Lady Bowthorpe, he had shown signs of inexperience on his first two runs at the Curragh and Leopardstown. Given a no nonsense front running ride by Ryan Moore, Aidan O'Brien's runner made all the running only having to be pushed out before recording a length and a half win. The well bred colt holds a host of big race entries, including the Group 1 Golden Fleece Stakes at Leopardstown (12th September) and National Stakes at the Curragh (13th September) during Irish champions weekend. The further he goes, the better he looks and can only improve.

Finally, Marco Polo (14/1) can a race full of promise on his debut in the six furlongs maiden which opened the card. A son of Night of Thunder and a full-brother to Listed winner Saber Strike, he was bought for 525,000gns as a yearling. Partnered by Ronan Whelan, he raced in midfield before making his effort inside the final two furlongs. Running on strongly in second, he was denied by a length and a quarter and is a winner waiting to happen. He will relish a step up to seven furlongs and, while it is a quick turnaround, it wouldn't be a surprise if Aidan O'Brien considers him for the £100,000 Convivial Maiden Stakes at York next week (21st August).

I am working at Hamilton Park on Tuesday evening and will therefore update the Diary later in the week.