True Love suffered a shock defeat as Power Blue turned around previous form to win the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.

The Adrian Murray-trained Power Blue was beaten five and three-quarter lengths by Aidan O’Brien’s True Love in the Railway Stakes last time out and as a result she was sent off a 1/4 favourite in the absence of stablemate Gstaad, who was a non runner.

Power Blue was one of two runners for Amo Racing along with Do Bronxs and the pair were prominent from the off, with Ryan Moore sitting on their heels aboard True Love.

Do Bronxs dropped away quickly when the race began in earnest and it looked as though True Love was coming to win with a furlong to run but 10/1 shot Power Blue was incredibly game for jockey David Egan, digging deep to repel her challenge by a length and a half.

It was a further length and three-quarters back to Green Sense in third.

Egan said: “He wears his heart on his sleeve. We went hard all the way with that tailwind. I’m sure we went fast fractions, and we really ran them into the ground. It was a really tough performance.

“I was glad when I jumped out of the gates and the fancied one (True Love) was on my left. I always kept an eye on her. I could have stayed straight, but I just angled over so he would have something to fight against because he loves a battle. That was key.”

The winning connections were completing a quickfire double after Bucanero Fuerte landed the Group 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes and Egan added: “It’s fantastic, a mega day.

“It’s my first Group 1 for Amo, which is huge for myself and the team. So much hard work goes into it and Kia puts a lot into the game. He obviously had his critics but to give him a day like this is a proud day.

“I knew the second half of the season was going to be better than the first half for us, and the second year better than the first, and the third year better than the second. It’s all about giving it time.”

Murray said: “I’ve never had a better day in racing. The two horses looked amazing today.

“I said to Robson (Aguiar, assistant trainer) coming down here that he’s got bigger and stronger and is improving all year. He was entitled to take his chance and has never run a bad race.

“He had a brilliant run in Ascot and is improving all year.

“A furlong out I was starting to think the filly wasn’t getting to him. She was starting to come under pressure, and he was still in his comfort zone.”

Power Blue is from the first crop of Space Blues (by Dubawi). His dam Visions (by Worthadd, also by Dubawi) gained minor blacktype in Italy and Power Blue is her only notable runner to-date. Power Blue was bred by Italians who board their stock at Linda and Reddy Coffey's Oak Lodge & Springfield House Stud in Roscrea, Co Tipperary. They sold him as a foal for €30,000 and he was sold again as a yearling by Luke Barry's Manister House Stud for £44,000 to Aisling Noone and Simon Kavanagh of Drumloose Stables (Mullingar) at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale.

Bucanero Fuerte back to top form

Bucanero Fuerte secured a game front-running success in the Group 3 FBD Hotels And Resorts Phoenix Sprint Stakes.

The four-year-old won the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at this fixture in 2023 and after a mixed run of luck last year, he was retired to stand at stud.

However, Bucanero Fuerte’s stallion career was unsuccessful and he returned to the care of Adrian Murray, winning at Naas in May before a setback derailed subsequent plans at Royal Ascot.

Back in top form for this contest, David Egan took the initiative early on and while Art Power tried to match him, Bucanero Fuerte (11/2) looked to have his measure with a furlong to run.

My Mate Alfie and Kind Of Blue both made their bids for glory in the final of six furlongs, but Bucanero Fuerte was just too strong, going on to win by a length and quarter.

Owner Kia Joorabchian, who runs his horses under the Amo Racing banner, said: “A lot of credit to Adrian (Murray) and Robson (Aguiar) for the training performance there and David gave him an unbelievable ride – just the way he likes to be ridden.

“He’s a tough horse who has given us a lot of joy and a lot of tough days as well with health scares. He had a colic issue at Ascot (this year).

“I’m glad to see him back happy on the track. We’re definitely not taking him out of Ireland now for a while!

“He could be aimed at the Flying Five as he loves the Curragh.”

Looking forward to the second half of the season, Joorabchian added: “We have much deeper pedigrees and I’m expecting a better second half and we’ll be in a very good place to lead into next year.”