Aidan O’Brien’s Sugar Island produced a sweet performance on debut to claim the Sycamore Lodge Equine Hospital Irish EBF Fillies Maiden at the Curragh.
With Ryan Moore switching to the daughter of Dubawi following the absence of anticipated favourite Signora, the regally-bred juvenile was sent off at 9-2 for the seven-furlong contest, coming home decisively by half a length.
O’Brien said: “She was really just ready to start off. Ryan said she was green but still won nicely and he liked her.
“She’d have no problem going into a Group race over a mile and you’d like to give her another run before then.
“I thought she’d be still a maiden after this and then we could run her in another maiden. Sometimes it’s easier on them when they can have two runs in maidens.
“She’ll stay a mile and a quarter next year.”
O’Brien and Moore added to their tally with Light As Air in the Hong Kong Thoroughbred Breeders Alliance Irish EBF Maiden, the 1-2 favourite having last been seen finishing well down the field in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot.
O’Brien said: “We thought he was a well-handicapped horse. He was unlucky at Leopardstown and was also placed at Navan, but was a bit disappointing at Ascot last time.
“Today we thought he’d win easier than that, but we think there is more to come with him. Ryan gave him a good ride.
“We might give him a little more time now. He’d a tough race there and Ryan said the second horse kept coming with him all the way, but he didn’t lie down.
“He stays well and looks like he could get further.”
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