Dick Whittington Rises Late to Win Phoenix
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Trainer Aidan O'Brien's domination of the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Ire-I) continued Aug. 10 with Dick Whittington edging past favorite Kool Kompany late in the race for 2-year-olds at the Curragh.
A son of freshman sire Rip Van Winkle, Dick Whittington won by a half length under Joseph O'Brien and provided his trainer a 13th triumph in the six-furlong event.
Soft ground conditions led to a number of scratches. Trainer Eddie Lynam withdrew highly regarded Royal Ascot winner Anthem Alexander and O'Brien pulled The Great War and War Envoy.
Richard Hughes positioned Irish and French group winner Kool Kompany, the 8-11 favorite and a supplemental entry, to track pacesetter I Am Beautiful along with Cappella Sansevero, who grabbed the lead three furlongs out. With a quarter-mile to run, Kool Kompany made his move but Dick Whittington was handy to challenge to his outside.
The pair made brief contact and Kool Kompany forged past Capella Sansevero with 150 yards left. But Dick Whittington was going the better of the two under urging to get the narrow victory.
Capella Sansevero finished third, a short head behind Kool Kompany.
Coolmore and partners' Dick Whittington had to wait out a stewards' inquiry into the interference between the top two finishers, but after a review the results stood.
Dick Whittington was timed in 1:14.55 to win at 6-1 odds, and scored for the third time in six career starts. He entered off a win in the Jebel Ali Racecourse and Stables Anglesey Stakes (Ire-III) at the Curragh.
Bred in Ireland by Swordlestown Stud, the bay colt is out of the Danehill mare Sahara Sky, a half sister 1994 July Cup (Eng-I) winner Owington.
Dick Whittington has gone through the sales ring twice. He was purchased by Camas Park from his breeder at the 2012 Goffs November foal sale for €55,000. Camas Park consigned him as a yearling at the 2013 Goffs Orby sale, where he was purchased for €280,000 by McCalmont Bloodstock, acting on behalf of Coolmore.