The first two-year-old Group 1 of the year in Europe the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes was won by the Al Shaqab Racing owned Ebro River at The Curragh on Sunday.
Trained in the United Kingdom by Hugo Palmer, Ebro River was on his seventh start of the season and was ridden to success by Shane Foley.
Breaking quickly out of stall five, Ebro River was quickly switched across to the rail and dictated a strong early pace with Go Bears Go in the six-furlong sprint.
Applying pressure inside the final 600m, Ebro River had the majority of his rivals in difficulty. Dr Zempf challenged and briefly headed Ebro River inside the final 200m. Despite drifting towards the centre of the track, Ebro River rallied strongly under a strong drive by Foley and went on to score by three-quarters-of-a-length. Dr Zempf held on gamely for second and Go Bears Go took third.
Bred by Tally-Ho stud, Ebro River was bought at Tattersalls October Yearling Sale (Book 2). He is by first season stallion Galileo Gold, a winner of the 2,000 Guineas for Al Shaqab Racing. His dam, Soft Power was a winner over 1,400m on debut and has also produced Strong Power, a winner of two races. She is a half-sister to Key Rose who was placed third at Listed level.