Sun Goddess Regains The Winning Thread

Upstaged in last week's Albany, Ballydoyle's Sun Goddess (Sioux Nation) was back in the groove in calmer waters in Saturday's G2 Airlie Stud Stakes at The Curragh.

Looking to go through the motions under Ryan Moore, the 2-7 favourite who had earned TDN Rising Star status when beating Green Empress (Saxon Warrior) by five lengths in a maiden over this course and six-furlong trip last month had only 3/4 of a length to spare this time. The early leader Beibhinn (No Nay Never) was 1 1/2 lengths further away in third to make it an Aidan-Joseph-Joseph O'Brien first three home.

Representing one of the European Pattern Committee's more bizarre decisions, this perennially weak Group 2 only ever attracts a small field and bears no resemblance to the Queen Mary, which carries the same status, or even the Albany which is only a Group 3.

“We were running her back quick, so we didn't really know. She's a lovely filly and we'll give her a bit of time now,” Aidan O'Brien said. “She just got hung up in the pace a little bit at Ascot. Ryan said he had to fight early and the winner was locked up out the back and just came when the race was over.”

“She is very classy and is a great traveller,” he added. “She is still a baby. I think the Moyglare would be suitable. I think she's going to stay and will be comfortable enough going up to seven.”

🌞

Sun Goddess makes amends for her Albany Stakes defeat in the @airliestud Stakes but strong-finishing runner-up Green Empress also looks a very bright prospect.

Who would win a rematch between the pair? 🤔@curraghrace | @coolmorestud pic.twitter.com/YUdIKKi311

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 27, 2026

Pedigree Notes
Sun Goddess is currently the last known foal out of the unraced Etoile Bleu (Starspangledbanner), a half to the four-times South African Group winner Gibraltar Blue (Rock Of Gibraltar) and the Phoenix Sprint Stakes winner Scream Blue Murder (Oratorio). The latter's Listed-winning and Group 2-placed daughter Too Soon To Panic (Gleneagles) is the dam of last week's Jersey Stakes winner Thesecretadversary (St Mark's Basilica).