Sun Goddess Sets the Standard in Competitive Airlie Stud Stakes at the Curragh

The Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes over six furlongs at the Curragh looks set to provide another informative test of Ireland’s leading juvenile fillies, with several runners arriving from strong early-season form lines and Royal Ascot performances.

Heading the market is Aidan O’Brien’s Sun Goddess, who has rapidly established herself among the leading two-year-old fillies in training. After being narrowly denied on her debut at Naas, she took a significant step forward when routing her rivals in a Curragh maiden, beating Green Empress by five lengths over this course and distance. She then confirmed her quality when finishing a close second in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, producing arguably the strongest piece of form on offer in this field.

The main question surrounding Sun Goddess is not ability but timing. She returns to action just eight days after her Ascot effort, although Ballydoyle successfully employed a similar turnaround with Matrika in this race in 2023. If reproducing her Albany form, she sets a demanding standard for her rivals.

One of those rivals is Controlla, whose profile is more difficult to assess. The Robson De Aguiar-trained filly produced a huge performance on debut when beaten only a neck by the subsequent Queen Mary winner Victorious in a Naas Group 3. However, she failed to build on that promise when disappointing in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. If that effort is forgiven, she becomes a fascinating contender and could represent the value alternative to the favourite.

Green Empress, trained by Joseph O’Brien, remains one of the more intriguing runners in the field. Although comfortably beaten by Sun Goddess on debut, she showed signs of inexperience throughout and is entitled to improve significantly for that initial outing. In a race where several fillies are still learning their craft, natural progression could see her narrow the gap considerably.

The experienced Velozee brings proven Pattern-race form to the table. Paddy Twomey’s filly won her first two starts, including a Listed race at the Curragh, before finding six furlongs a little beyond her in a Naas Group 3. Her subsequent Queen Mary effort over five furlongs was respectable, and while her class is not in doubt, the return to six furlongs remains a concern.

Others seeking to make their mark include Belle Of The Ball, who displayed plenty of speed when winning a Cork maiden, and Beibhinn, another Joseph O’Brien representative who impressed with her determination when winning at Listowel. Both appear capable of further improvement but face a significant rise in class.

Cleodolinda and Maggie Walker arrive unbeaten after maiden successes but will need substantial progression to compete with the established Group-race performers.

From a tactical perspective, the race should be run at a genuine pace, with several naturally speedy fillies in the line-up. That scenario is likely to suit Sun Goddess, whose strong finish in the Albany suggested she is particularly effective when able to settle and attack late.

While the Airlie Stud Stakes often identifies future Group 1 performers, this year’s renewal appears to revolve around whether Sun Goddess can maintain her high level after a busy early-season campaign. She is the deserved favourite and the filly all the others must beat, but Controlla and Green Empress offer interesting alternatives should the favourite fail to reproduce her Ascot performance.

Predicted 1-2-3

1. Sun Goddess


2. Controlla


3. Green Empress



Horse to Follow

Green Empress – likely to improve markedly from her debut and could develop into a useful Pattern-class filly as the season progresses.