Siskin Could Cement Status in Phoenix Stakes

Siskin has made a sensational start to his career and trainer Ger Lyons' unbeaten colt is tasked with cementing his status as Ireland's leading juvenile—and the greatest threat to Pinatubo for next year's QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (G1)—in the Aug. 9 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (G1).

However, Siskin, named after a diminutive garden bird, will have to soar like the mighty Phoenix if he is to topple Royal Lytham and Monarch of Egypt in a race their trainer, Aidan O'Brien, has made his own since the turn of the century. The Irish trainer did not declare Arizona for the six-furlong test for 2-year-olds, after he had indicated Tuesday that the Royal Ascot winner was on target for a mammoth juvenile clash, with the caveat of plans not being set in stone.

This will be the toughest test Khalid Abdullah's Siskin has faced, but he could hardly have created a better impression when he won his three starts and has been installed as the odds-on favorite to provide Lyons and rider Colin Keane with a first domestic group 1.

After winning the GAIN Railway Stakes (G2), Siskin renews his rivalry with runner-up Monarch of Egypt. However, heavy showers are forecast for Thursday night into Friday, and softening ground is a worry for Keane.

"The more rain that falls the more it will be a hindrance," he said. "He's only ever raced on quick ground, but we'll see how it goes. He's a very straightforward horse to ride and I'm obviously looking forward to it."

O'Brien and the Phoenix Stakes go together like salt and pepper, pencil and paper, or Galileo and group 1 winners. The master of Ballydoyle's record in this juvenile highlight is quite remarkable.

Since 1998, O'Brien has recorded 16 victories and saddles three of the five runners, although he believes the damp forecast won't be ideal for his contingent.

"We don't know how the rain will impact them, but it's not going to be ideal for anyone," O'Brien said.

Ryan Moore rides Monarch of Egypt, who is owned by a partnership that includes American Peter Brant and impressed with a winning debut at Naas in April before missing Royal Ascot due to a setback.

"He was ready to start back in the Railway Stakes last time and we've been happy with him since," O'Brien said of the son of American Pharoah .

In the last 10 years O'Brien has been responsible for 50% of the first three home (15-of-30) and has had seven winners.

Royal Lytham, who will be ridden by O'Brien's son Donnacha, is no back number for the Coolmore challenge against Siskin. He impressed with a win in the Tattersalls July Stakes (G2) at Newmarket last month. 

"Royal Lytham won nicely at Newmarket and we haven't done much with him since, but he seems well," O'Brien said.

The Ballydoyle trio is completed by Mount Fuji, who won a Cork maiden in his first start before finishing down the field in the Norfolk Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot and then fifth in the Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Anglesey Stakes (G3).

"Mount Fuji was green when winning first time out at Cork but picked up experience at Ascot and we thought he came forward again since at the Curragh," O'Brien said.

Trainer John Murphy and his team have been rewarded for their decision to leave recent Down Royal winner Think Big in the line-up for this €300,000 prize, with his charge guaranteed to take home his share of the spoils.

Rated just 89, this looks an unenviable task for his Night of Thunder colt, but Murphy's son and assistant George is confident his juvenile won't look out of place.

"It'd be unfortunate if the rain that's forecast really gets into the ground, but he's in very good form and won't disgrace himself," he said. "We're under no illusions that this is a massive step up and a massive ask of the horse, but he's coming forward with every run and he's a quick horse."