skip to main content

Collina has the power to land Phoenix

Curragh victory - Declan McDonogh on La Collina (right) lands the Phoenix Stakes ahead of Seamie Heffernan on Power (centre) and Tough as Nails (left) with Gary Caroll on board
Curragh victory - Declan McDonogh on La Collina (right) lands the Phoenix Stakes ahead of Seamie Heffernan on Power (centre) and Tough as Nails (left) with Gary Caroll on board

La Collina collared Power close home to land a 33-1 surprise success in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

Declan McDonogh brought Kevin Prendergast's filly with a devastating turn of foot to storm past Aidan O'Brien's runner in the last 50 yards.

Tough As Nails was third, and Lilbourne Lad was fourth.
David Brown's strongly-fancied Frederick Engels lost all chance when badly hampered by Parish Hall as he tried to make his bid about a furlong out.

McDonogh said afterwards: "This is a big lift for everybody. It's been a very slow start for the stable.

"They went hard and there was a bit of traffic at half-way. I just got out and was lucky with the clear run I got. I never got stopped. I just had to switch a couple of times.

"Johnny (Murtagh on Frederick Engels) went for a run on the fence and I was following him for most of the way and it (a gap) was closing from where I was looking at.

"I thought I wasn't going there, so I switched away from them and I'm lucky I did. I got outpaced early and let her find her feet.
She's a very good two-year-old and that was a true test. "She's all heart."

Read Next