George Washington Marches in Phoenix

Trainer Aidan O'Brien chalked up his seventh victory in the Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes (Ire-I) Sunday when his 2-year-old colt George Washington demolished the field by eight lengths at The Curragh.

The 8-13 favorite under Kieren Fallon didn't take the lead until just before the furlong marker but bounded away in style while leaving his stablemate, the early leader Amadeus Mozart, well behind in second. Coventry Stakes (Eng-II) winner Red Clubs finished third for trainer Barry Hills in the six-furlong event.

O'Brien said the Phoenix, which was the fourth start of the year for the Ballydoyle-owned son of Danehill, could be his last of the season. George Washington is favored with Paddy Power for next year's English Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) at Newmarket.

"He's always been a special horse and is an unusual beast as he shows so much speed but is bred for a mile," O'Brien told Racing Post.

"He felt great and everything went so well," Fallon told Racing Post. "It is nice not to have to hit them as they are still babies and he is still a big baby."

O'Brien was also pleased by the effort of his runner-up, saying, "We've always thought he was a nice horse and he ran a great race today; hopefully, he's starting to come together now."