The Scat Daddy Show Rolls On

Mark Smith - Monday August 14

What have Fasliyev, Minardi, Johannesburg, Spartacus One Cool Cat Holy Roman Emperor Mastercraftsman Alfred Nobel Zoffany and Air Force Blue have in common?

They were all trained by Aidan O'Brien to win the Group I Phoenix Stakes, who found their way to Australasia.

The master of Ballydoyle chalked up a record 16th winner of the race, which was held at The Curragh on Sunday when the Scat Daddy colt Sioux Nation defeated Beckford (Bated Breath) by a half-length with the winner's stablemate Actress (Declaration of War) one and a half lengths back in third.

Winner of the Group II Norfolk Stakes at Ascot at his most recent start, Sioux Nation becomes the second consecutive winner of the Phoenix Stakes sired by Scat Daddy after Caravaggio.

"I think his turn of foot won it, he travels very well and quickens very well - even though he's a big horse, he's got a lot of speed," O'Brien told Irish Racing.


"Every run this year he has got better and has been coming forward.

"We were delighted with him at Ascot and we've been delighted with him since.

"We wouldn't want to run him on soft ground because he has a lot of pace.

"He's by Scat Daddy, like Caravaggio. I don't know if we'll stretch him to seven this year, if we did we could come here for the National Stakes and if we didn't he could go for the Middle Park (Newmarket).

"He's a horse to look forward to."

On the chance of progressing to the Breeders' Cup later this year O'Brien said: "He'd have no bother, I'd say. He's big, powerful, rangy and loves fast ground. I'd say he'll progress as he's progressed with every run this year."

Sioux Nation becomes the 22nd individual Group/Grade 1 winner for the deceased Scat Daddy and the second on the weekend after the Chilean-bred filly Dacita won the Beverley D Stakes at Arlington on Saturday.

If history repeats, the chances are that we will see Sioux Nation and Caravaggio on these shores in future.

In the meantime, Scat Daddy's powerfully made son No Nay Never (USA) (pictured) will carry the baton for his sire in Australia.

The Group I Prix Morny winner looks exceptional value at a fee of $11,000 (inc gst) at Coolmore Stud this spring.

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