Khalid Abdullah's Siskin (First Defence) is set to take part in the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National S. at The Curragh on Sept. 15, setting up an exciting clash of the G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. winner with Godolphin's similarly unbeaten G2 Vintage S. winner Pinatubo (Ire) (Shamardal) and Aidan O'Brien's G2 Futurity S. and G3 Tyros S. victor Armory (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
“He's in great shape and he is being driven by his trainer with the National S. on Sunday week in mind, even if I would be very nervous taking on Pinatubo,” said trainer Ger Lyons. “He was exceptionally impressive at Goodwood, but Siskin has a Group 1 win under his belt, even if he is a good bit below three of them on ratings and ratings don't lie.”
Lyons reiterated that Siskin has not yet done anything wrong.
“That said, he only did what he was asked to do, and I have been very happy with him,” he said. “I would have no problem on nice ground taking on anyone over seven furlongs and whatever beats Pinatubo will likely be champion 2-year-old.”
Siskin had to contend with soft going at The Curragh last out when besting 'TDN Rising Star' Monarch of Egypt (American Pharoah) by three-quarters of a length.
“He's impressed me,” Lyons said. “The Phoenix was a case of no horse really liking the ground, but everyone was telling me he'd struggle with it due to his pedigree and in the car park beforehand I was getting worried. I had never really thought about it much beforehand to be honest, but then a lot of people were talking about the ground. He showed a great attitude and, all going well, he is being trained as a Guineas horse next season.”
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