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The exciting Ger Lyons-trained Babouche kept her unbeaten record in tact with a hard-fought success in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes.
The exciting Ger Lyons-trained Babouche kept her unbeaten record in tact with a hard-fought success in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes.
An impressive five length winner of a fillies' maiden at Cork on debut, the daughter of Kodiac was having her second run against the boys, after stamping her authority on the Group 3 Anglesey Stakes over course and distance in late July, recording a half-length victory over Camille Pissarro.
Settled in third by jockey Colin Keane, the filly was always travelling strongly and was asked to put in an effort with over a furlong to run, taking on the favourite Whistlejacket at the front of the pack. The pair battled through the last furlong, but the filly always had the edge over Aidan O'Brien's charge, recording a one-and-a-half length success at the line.
Trainer Ger Lyons said: "I was more nervous before the Anglesey than today as she was quiet before the Anglesey. Before Cork she was telling us how good she was.
"She learned more here (in the Anglesey) than she did in Cork. We wondered if she was good enough today and she's answered that in spades."She'll stay over this (six-furlong) trip until she tells us otherwise. We'll take her home and see how she is and at the minute I'd say it will be the Cheveley Park and that will be her done for the year. Colin said there is no rush to step her up at the moment, she has plenty of speed.
"These horses are hard to find, but when we find them, or lads like us find them, we can do it. The whole thing about winning Group One races is sourcing the horse.
"There is only one outfit on the planet that can source the horse consistently and that is Aidan's, but when the rest of us get the chance we can do it.
"The fillies are definitely well ahead of the colts this year and it's nice when they deliver."