This was an Amo Racing attack we didn't see coming.
The big-spending owners recorded a double in the two feature Aug. 9 races at the Curragh that culminated in what seemed like a seismic moment when their number one rider David Egan celebrated his success on Power Blue in the Phoenix Stakes (G1) following on from Bucanero Fuerte's victory in the Phoenix Sprint (G3) in the previous race.
The expected withdrawal of hot favorite Gstaad was supposed to leave the door open for stablemate True Love to continue her rise up the ranks, but Egan and Amo forgot to read that script as 10-1 Power Blue knuckled down and saw off the 1-4 favorite in determined fashion.
Green Sense ran third.
It was quite the story as, just like Bucanero Fuerte two years ago, Power Blue also won the first maiden of the flat season in March on the way to winning the first domestic group 1 of the season for juveniles.
"Bloody hell, it's been a great day," Egan said. "He wears his heart on his sleeve. We went hard all the way with that tailwind. I'm sure we went fast fractions, and we really ran them into the ground. It was a really tough performance.
"I was glad when I jumped out of the gates, and the fancied one (True Love) was on my left. I always kept an eye on her. I could have stayed straight, but I just angled over so he would have something to fight against because he loves a battle. That was key."
Egan added: "It's fantastic, a mega day. It's my first group 1 for Amo, which is huge for myself and the team. So much hard work goes into it, and (Amo Racing's) Kia (Joorabchian) puts a lot into the game. He obviously had his critics, but to give him a day like this is a proud day.
"I knew the second half of the season was going to be better than the first half for us, and the second year better than the first, and the third year better than the second. It's all about giving it time."
Winning trainer Adrian Murray, who also handles Bucanero Fuerte, said: "I've never had a better day in racing. The two horses looked amazing today. I said to Robson (Aguilar, assistant trainer) coming down here that Power Blue has got bigger and stronger and is improving all year.
"He was entitled to take his chance and has never run a bad race. He had a brilliant run at Ascot and is improving all year. A furlong out, I was starting to think the filly wasn't getting to him. She was starting to come under pressure and he was still in his comfort zone."
Power Blue is the first group winner of any hue for Darley's freshman stallion Space Blues, the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T), Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1), and Prix de la Foret (G1)-winning son of Dubawi.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien said unbeaten Coventry Stakes (G2) winner Gstaad will target the Prix Morny (G1) later this month.
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