Celeron Seeks Breeders' Cup Bid in Phoenix Stakes

Impressive Railway Stakes (G2) winner Celeron (GB) is set for three big assignments in the coming months as Michael O'Callaghan gears him up for the Aug. 9 Phoenix Stakes (G1) at the Curragh, with further top-level targets potentially on the horizon, including the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland in October. O'Callaghan has trained some smart 2-year-olds, such as group 2 winners Black Forza and Crypto Force (GB), but Celeron could be the best yet, judging by his 3-length success in last month's Railway Stakes. While his trainer was keen to step him up to 7 furlongs in the immediate aftermath of that win, he has decided to give the son of Mohaather (GB) another crack at 6 furlongs before he goes up in distance later in the season. "The plan with Celeron is to run in the Phoenix," he said. "I know immediately after the race I was thinking about not running over 6 furlongs again, but I probably had my mind made up before the race." His dominant performance in the Curragh group 2 has encouraged O'Callaghan to give him a shot at a group 1 over the same course and distance Sunday in a race that could also feature two Royal Ascot winners trained by Aidan O'Brien in Victorious (IRE) and Great Barrier Reef (IRE). Having landed a Curragh maiden in June, Celeron finished down the field in the Windsor Castle Stakes, but he bounced back with a classy performance in the Railway under Oisin Murphy. With a tilt at the National Stakes (G1) and Breeders' Cup on the agenda, O'Callaghan is hoping it will set the talented colt up for a productive end to the season. "He's rated 111 over 6 furlongs so he's a very high-class colt," the trainer said. "He can step up to 7 furlongs for the National Stakes and then maybe go to the Breeders' Cup, which is the big target. I thought it was maybe a bit silly to bypass the Phoenix. "The timing is perfect and then it's a month to the National Stakes and then the bones of six weeks to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. He's a big horse—he probably wants a mile next year—and he has a lot of talent." It was announced last week that Medallion Racing and Steve Weston's Parkland Thoroughbreds purchased a 50% interest in the son of Mohaather. READ: Medallion Racing, Parkland Buy Into Celeron Celeron was offered by Barton Stud at last year's Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale, where he was knocked down for just 20,000 guineas to Antonio Da Silva.