Amo Racing enjoy a big-race double at the Curragh…

  - Power Blue surprises in Phoenix Stakes

  - Big race double for Amo Racing

Power Blue became the first Group 1 winner for freshman sire Space Blues with a victory in the six-furlong Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

An experienced juvenile performer, Power Blue had been a debut winner at the Curragh in March and had found himself falling short of Group success against notable opponents – finishing third behind Lady Iman, second behind Albert Einstein and fifth in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

It appeared the Adrian Murray-trained colt may have a tough task on his hands against the re-opposing True Love, having finished five-and-three-quarter lengths behind the filly in the Group 2 Railway Stakes in mid-July. Racing over the same course and distance, Power Blue was allowed to make all under David Egan and responded well to the challenge of the familiar True Love in the closing stages, recording a one-and-a-half length success, with Group 2 Prix Robert Papin winner Green Sense back in third.

The victory represented a double for owners Amo Racing, after securing victory with Adrian Murray's Bucanero Fuerte in the Group 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes earlier in the card.

Always a talented performer, Bucanero Fuerte was returning to the scene of his career-best victory in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes twelve months earlier. Facing a competitive field of twelve, including British raiders Kind Of Blue, Spycatcher and Art Power, Bucanero Fuerte made all under David Egan – a performance which would be replicated later in the same silks aboard Power Blue. He faced a challenge from My Mate Alfie in the closing stages, but the experienced Ger Lyons-trained sprinter was unable to make enough progress to trouble the winner.

"It's just unbelievable," Murray told Racing TV, following Power Blue's success. "The two horses looked amazing and I even said to Robson [Aguiar] that he [Power Blue] looked bigger and stronger and he'd improved all year.

"He was entitled to take his chance. He's never run a bad race and it was a brilliant run at Ascot, so I'm very, very happy with him. Every time he turns up he never lets us down. A furlong out I thought the filly wasn't going to get to him. She started to come under pressure and he was travelling in his comfort zone.

"We're living the dream the whole time."