The
Group I Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh overnight couldn't quite provide the dream
result for Triple Crown hero American Pharoah with his quality colt Monarch of
Egypt finishing second to the unbeaten Juddmonte Farms homebred Siskin.
The Ger Lyons trained Siskin had the better of Monarch of Egypt in the their previous
meeting in the Group II Railway Stakes on June 29 and the placings remained the
same this time around.
Monarch of Egypt looked the winner a furlong from home, but Siskin was determined
and prevailed to win the six furlong contest by three-=quarters of a length and
has now won four from four.
"My confidence was
shot all week with the rain purely because we knew he was better on a faster
gallop. His forte is that burst of speed that he still showed there. I think
he's a very smart horse," said Ger Lyons.
"Talk of Guineas at this stage is very premature as we are racing over six
furlongs in August. Today was to tell us do we step up to seven for the
Dewhurst or the National Stakes or do we go the Middle Park route. Did we learn
anything trip wise? I don't know. I just learned that this is one good, tough
horse. We'll get together and make a plan with him. What a horse to have - he's
so push button."
One of 11 stakes-winners by the US based
Unbridled's Song stallion First Defence, Siskin is a three-quarter brother-in-blood
to Champion US Older Mare and five time Group I winner Close Hatches being the
first winner from Oasis Dream mare Bird Flown, who is a half-sister to her dam.
Bird Flown is a grand-daughter of Best in Show's influential daughter Monroe,
whose descendants have delivered much success for Juddmonte Farms and include horses
such as Xaar, Senure, Cityscape and Bated Breath, while Australian based sire
Domesday is also a member of the family.