NEXT weekend will see a distinguished visitor at the Curragh for the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes as Kevin O’Malley, the US Ambassador to Ireland, will be the guest of honour on Sunday, August 7th. His visit will celebrate the running of the Phoenix Stakes by the Kentucky based Keeneland Association. While we don’t know if Ambassador O’Malley is a keen racing man, he will be on hand to present the trophies to the winning owner, trainer and jockey.

The Keeneland Phoenix Stakes is Europe’s first Group 1 two-year-old race of the season and will attract a top-class field, which is likely to include the Aidan O’Brien trained Royal Ascot winner Caravaggio and also Medicine Jack, who is trained by Ger Lyons and won the GAIN Railway Stakes.