True Love suffered a shock defeat as Power Blue turned around previous form to win the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.
The Adrian Murray-trained Power Blue was beaten five and three-quarter lengths by Aidan O'Brien’s True Love in the Railway Stakes last time out and as a result she was sent off a 1-4 favourite in the absence of stablemate Gstaad, who was a non runner.
Power Blue was one of two runners for Amo Racing along with Do Bronxs and the pair were prominent from the off, with Ryan Moore sitting on their heels aboard True Love.
Do Bronxs dropped away quickly when the race began in earnest and it looked as though True Love was coming to win with a furlong to run but 10-1 shot Power Blue was incredibly game for jockey David Egan, digging deep to repel her challenge by a length and a half.
It was a further length and three-quarters back to Green Sense in third.
Egan said: "He wears his heart on his sleeve. We went hard all the way with that tailwind. I'm sure we went fast fractions, and we really ran them into the ground. It was a really tough performance.
"I was glad when I jumped out of the gates and the fancied one (True Love) was on my left. I always kept an eye on her. I could have stayed straight, but I just angled over so he would have something to fight against because he loves a battle. That was key."
What a day for AMO racing as Power Blue turns the tables on True love to take Group one honours in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes @DavidEgan99 | @AMurrayRacing pic.twitter.com/y8JSEaa1fX
— The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) August 9, 2025
The winning connections were completing a quickfire double after Bucanero Fuerte landed the Group Three Phoenix Sprint Stakes and Egan added: "It’s fantastic, a mega day.
"It’s my first Group One for Amo, which is huge for myself and the team. So much hard work goes into it and Kia puts a lot into the game. He obviously had his critics but to give him a day like this is a proud day.
"I knew the second half of the season was going to be better than the first half for us, and the second year better than the first, and the third year better than the second. It’s all about giving it time."
Murray said: "I’ve never had a better day in racing. The two horses looked amazing today.
"I said to Robson (Aguiar, assistant trainer) coming down here that he’s got bigger and stronger and is improving all year. He was entitled to take his chance and has never run a bad race.
"He had a brilliant run in Ascot and is improving all year.
"A furlong out I was starting to think the filly wasn’t getting to him. She was starting to come under pressure, and he was still in his comfort zone."
Aidan O'Brien is harbouring Group One hopes for Diamond Necklace after a straightforward success over a better-fancied stablemate in the Grand Hotel Malahide Irish EBF Fillies Juvenile Race at the Curragh.
A St Mark’s Basilica half-sister to top-level scorers Chicquita and Magic Wand, Diamond Necklace was sent off a 9-1 shot under Wayne Lordan on her debut, with Ryan Moore opting to ride Minerva instead.
Moore’s mount raced prominently throughout and as Diamond Necklace really hit her stride in the closing stages, Minerva had no answer and had to settle for a length-and-a-half defeat.
O’Brien is anticipating plenty of progress from the winner and said: "She’s a lovely filly with a great pedigree.
"Her dad didn’t win a maiden for another three weeks so that’s St Mark’s Basilica for you. He went on to win the Dewhurst and how he improved from two to three was incredible.
"She could end up being one for the Fillies’ Mile with maybe a run or two in between. She’s going to be lovely next year."
Paddy Power make Diamond Necklace a 25-1 chance for next year’s 1000 Guineas.
O’Brien and Moore had claimed the preceding Audi Naas Irish EBF Maiden in style as Mission Central (4-1) galloped home eight lengths clear of Chicago Pope.
The son of No Nay Never was out of the places on his initial outing in April but O’Brien felt a subsequent gelding operation had the desired effect.
He said: "We ran him in Dundalk the first day and he was a bit worse than green, so that’s why we took him home and gelded him.
"He’s been perfect since and we’ll go up to a Listed or Group race with him next time. He’s a very quick horse."
Geryon sprang an 18-1 surprise for Ger Lyons in the opening Revamp Conservation And Restoration Irish EBF Maiden, although the trainer was not shocked to see Colin Keane’s mount prevail.
He said: "We have two colts that we like, this fella and Res Ipsa who ran at Leopardstown on Thursday. Res Ipsa fluffed his lines so I suppose it took away confidence and hence his starting price, but they are two similar horses.
"You would like to think there would be plenty of improvement as it was his first day away from Glenburnie and first day on turf.
"The best-looking horse I had by Lope de Vega was Endless Drama, who was second in the Guineas, and this is the second best one I’ve had by him. He’s a very good-looking colt."
