No jet lag for Foley as Ebro River lands first juvenile Group 1 of the season

From jetting across the Atlantic for one ride at Saratoga to winning his sixth Group 1 in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes – all in half-a-day's work for Shane Foley.

The American adventure didn't go according to plan as Cadillac trailed in ninth of 11 in the Saratoga Derby on Saturday night but there is just no place like home as a few hours later Foley was helping himself to a hat-trick at the Curragh, completed by the tough and tenacious Ebro River.

When asked whether he managed to get any sleep on the flight back, Foley replied: "I slept a bit on the way home all right, but I don't know whether I'll sleep tonight."

Phoenix Stakes result and analysis

Foley was certainly wide awake as the stalls opened for the first juvenile Group 1 of the season as Ebro River was soon in front on the near-side rail and dictating matters, something he had never done on any of his previous six starts.

This was a different Ebro River to the one we used to know and he bravely fought off the 1-2-4 from the Railway Stakes at the track back in June to earn himself a quote of 20-1 for next year's Qipco 2,000 Guineas with Paddy Power. The same firm cut him to 7-1 (from 12) for the Gimcrack.

The Phoenix Stakes usually stays at home, thanks in no small part to Aidan O'Brien, who has won it 16 times, and Advertise in 2018 was the only British-based winner since Princely Heir for Mark Johnston and Jason Weaver in 1997. It was a bold move by Hugo Palmer to come here.

A thumbs-up from Shane Foley after Group 1 success on Ebro RiverCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Speaking after registering back-to-back wins in the race following Lucky Vega last year, Foley said: "I had my head between my legs coming back last night. Cadillac was very disappointing and it was a long haul home after it. But, I'm after having three rides so far today and all of them have won; and I've won a Group 1 which is brilliant.

"I got in at 8am. I flew with Ryan [Moore] and was able to jump on the private plane down in Boston so a big thanks to the Magniers and everyone. I wouldn't have got home otherwise."

On the drastic change of tactics, Foley added: "We just said beforehand we wouldn't mind changing the tactics a bit. We'd been dropping him in but there didn't look to be much pace today and with that tailwind it can be hard to get them back up front.

"He'd been doing things wrong. He'd been keen and quite awkward. Hugo had in his head he wanted to go forward today and it was an ideal day to do it. He had the draw for it. I had a willing partner and he kept pulling out more. I'd say I would have still been in front after another half furlong."

Certainly the further Ebro River went the better he looked. Dr Zempf did best of the rest but was three-quarters of a length down at the line, with the 6-4 favourite Go Bears Go third and Castle Star fourth.

It was fitting Ebro River should provide Palmer with his fifth Group 1 winner, and his second in Ireland following on from Covert Love's 2015 Irish Oaks success, given he is a son of Galileo Gold who was a flag-bearer for the trainer and Al Shaqab Racing in 2016 when winning the 2,000 Guineas.

Ebro River was Galileo Gold's first winner when he won a novice stakes at Doncaster in May and he is now his first Group 1 winner too.

"Hugo fancied the horse," said Foley. "He had a good run in the Coventry and his form was there for all to see. He's tough and he's genuine."

Tough and genuine indeed. And, when you combine that with class you have got yourself a Classic contender. Ebro River is flowing smoothly now.

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