The crowd along the Curragh rails roared as Arizona Blaze surged clear, David Egan punching the air before leaning down to pat the colt’s neck. For trainer Adrian Murray, the relief was visible – his colt, once burdened by recent disappointments, had rediscovered his fire.
The three-year-old son of Sergei Prokofiev gave Amo Racing Ltd. and Giselle De Aguiar their Group 1 moment in the Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes (G1), powering home over five furlongs to secure a coveted berth in the Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1).
From Setback to Statement
Only a month ago, Arizona Blaze had floundered in the Nunthorpe at York. On Sunday, the script was rewritten. Sent off at 11-2, he tucked in behind stablemate Bucanero Fuerte before striking decisively at the three-furlong pole. Nighteyes (IRE) chased hard, Bucanero Fuerte kept on for third, but neither could live with the renewed burst of Murray’s colt.
The stopwatch read 59.03 seconds on yielding ground, sealing a one-length success that put past frustrations firmly behind him.
Jockey’s Delight
Egan, who chose Arizona Blaze over the shorter-priced Bucanero Fuerte, was quick to underline what the win meant.
“If anyone deserves a Group 1, it’s Arizona,” he said. “He was unlucky last year, nearly winning the Commonwealth Cup, and he’s been campaigned with these races in mind. To deliver today is special.”
Owner Kia Joorabchian confirmed the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint is the next stop. “We’ll have a lot of fun with him,” he smiled.
Supporting Feature: Precise in Moyglare
The card’s other highlight saw Precise (IRE) flash down the outside to give Aidan O’Brien a record-extending 11th win in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1). Under Ronan Whelan, the daughter of Starspangledbanner swept past Beautify inside the final furlong, claiming her automatic ticket to the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).
Even-money favorite Composing set the pace, but Precise, carrying Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Westerberg’s silks, showed the sharper finish to stop the clock in 1:29.13. Venetian Sun closed for third.
O’Brien praised her professionalism:
“She’s improving with every start, and now she’s a Group 1 winner. The Breeders’ Cup is very much in the mix.”
Breeders’ Cup Beckons
For Arizona Blaze, the Flying Five success means redemption – and another crack at America, where he was second in last year’s Juvenile Turf Sprint. For Precise, the Moyglare triumph signals the emergence of a filly with international potential. Both now carry Irish hopes to Del Mar in October.
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