--- title: "How Many Times Has Aidan O’Brien Won the Phoenix Stakes? As He Eyes Further Curragh Success On Sunday" canonical: "https://readhorseracing.com/2026/08/07/how-many-times-has-aidan-obrien-won-the-phoenix-stakes-as-he-eyes-further-curragh-success-on-sunday/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Andy Newton" section: "Features" published: "2026-08-07T08:53:37Z" modified: "2026-08-07T08:54:37Z" --- # How Many Times Has Aidan O’Brien Won the Phoenix Stakes? As He Eyes Further Curragh Success On Sunday **Sunday’s Phoenix Stakes has been dominated by Aidan O’Brien – no real shock there as the Ballydoyle handler has a top record on most of the Irish Group One races.** He’s mopped up a staggering 17 wins in the big Curragh race over the years. However, for his high standards, O’Brien is on a bit of a mini-drought in the race – having not won the pot since 2022. So, can he end this three year run without a Phoenix Stakes win in 2026? ### **Phoenix Stakes Race Details 2026** - Date Sunday, 9th August 2026 - Time: 16:00 IST / BST - Track: Curragh (Turf) - Distance: 6 Furlongs (1,200 meters) - Purse: €240,000 (Winner’s prize) - TV Coverage: Racing TV / RTÉ ***DID YOU KNOW?* 8 of the last 10 Phoenix Stakes winners came from stalls 1-4** ## **How Many Times Has Aidan O’Brien Won the Phoenix Stakes?** ![Aidan O'Brien at Epsom Downs in June 2026. Credit: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images.](https://media.readhorseracing.com/readhorseracing/2026/07/aidan-obrien-epsom-2026-getty-1024x683.jpg) Ballydoyle maestro Aidan O’Brien has won the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes an incredible 17 times. His dominant record in Ireland’s premier juvenile sprint began in 1998 with Lavery, who was guided home by Walter Swinburn (watch below). [1998 - Leopardstown - Heinz 57 Phoenix Stakes - Lavery (embedded)](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/iVjUIVnQLZc?feature=oembed) While his most recent win was with Little Big Bear in 2022 under Ryan Moore – with the jockey winning the race for a second time (watch below). In between these successes, he’s landed the prize with star names that include George Washington, Mastercraftsman and Caravaggio. [INCREDIBLE performance! Little Big Bear stuns his Phoenix Stakes rivals at the Curragh! (embedded)](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/euB5OUKav7E?feature=oembed) ### **O’Brien Has Had Two Big Odds-On Phoenix Stakes Losers In Recent Years** Last year (2025), O’Brien followers were expecting him to get back on the winning trail in the Phoenix Stakes, with **True Love** going off the hot 1/4 favourite (watch below). However, she was turned over by Power Blue – giving trainer Adrian Murrary his second win in the race, having won the prize with Bucanero Fuerte in 2023. A year earlier (2024), Ballydoyle had another hot-pot in the race turned over in **Whistlejacket.** He was sent off 8/13 in the betting, but only managed second to Juddmonte’s Babouche. [Wow! POWER BLUE defeats 1-4 favourite True Love in the Phoenix Stakes! (embedded)](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/3RFnFPYb6sc?feature=oembed) ### **Aidan O’Brien’s Phoenix Stakes Winners** • 1998: Lavery (First winner)\ • 1999: Fasliyev\ • 2000: Minardi\ • 2001: Johannesburg\ • 2002: Spartacus\ • 2003: One Cool Cat\ • 2005: George Washington\ • 2006: Holy Roman Emperor\ • 2008: Mastercraftsman\ • 2009: Alfred Nobel\ • 2010: Zoffany\ • 2012: Pedro the Great\ • 2014: Dick Whittington\ • 2015: Air Force Blue\ • 2016: Caravaggio\ • 2017: Sioux Nation\ • 2022: Little Big Bear (Most recent winner) * * * **ALSO SEE:** [Andy Newton’s Shergar Cup best bets and tips](https://readhorseracing.com/2026/08/06/andy-newtons-itv-racing-tips-on-saturday-8th-august-ascot-shergar-cup-best-bets/) from Ascot * * * ### **O’Brien’s Top** **Phoenix Stakes** **Contenders for 2026** Heading into the 2026 renewal, O’Brien looks poised to target an 18th victory with two leading fancies – if they both go. #### **Great Barrier Reef** Unbeaten in three starts, including a victory in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot (watch below). The No Nay Never colt stands out as one of the top two-year-old prospects in Europe. He’s also a CD winner at the Curragh after winning at the track twice in April and May. With a 54-day break since his Ascot win, he will be primed to keep his unbeaten record in-tact. [GREAT BARRIER REEF lands the Coventry Stakes 🐠 12th win in the race for Aidan O\'Brien (embedded)](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/XxC6VciAFkk?feature=oembed) #### **Sun Goddess** A talented Sioux Nation filly who has impressed with sharp performances, including a win in maiden company and solid black-type placing. She’s also won at the Curragh, so the track will pose no issues – winning there in late May. Since then, she’s been second in the Albany Stakes behind Libertango, but bounced back to winning ways when landing the G2 Airlie Stud Stakes – again at the Curragh. Being a filly, she’ll get a handy 3lbs weight allowance too. [Sun Goddess makes amends for her Ascot defeat in the Airlie Stud Stakes | Full Race | Racing TV (embedded)](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/SAkS2nYeo6A?feature=oembed)