Richard Hannon's Ventura Tormenta among four added to all-star Phoenix line-up

Richard Hannon's Prix Robert Papin winner Ventura Tormenta is one of four juveniles to have been supplemented for Sunday's Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at a cost of €20,000, with the exciting colt reported to have thrived since his recent Group 2 success at Chantilly.

The Middleham Park Racing-owned son of Acclamation, bred by ITV Racing's Kevin Blake, featured alongside 14 rivals after Tuesday's supplementary stage for the Curragh Group 1, which is worth €200,000 this year (€100,000 less than in 2019).

As reported by the Racing Post on Monday, Michael O'Callaghan's brilliant Molecomb Stakes hero Steel Bull was also supplemented for the top-level contest and is set to carry the colours of new owner Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez in a possible clash with Norfolk Stakes scorer The Lir Jet and Railway Stakes winner Laws Of Indices.

Steel Bull wins the Markel Insurance Molecomb StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Middleham Park's Tim Palin believes the decision to supplement Ventura Tormenta was a straightforward one.

He explained: "On ratings, whether using Racing Post Ratings or Timeform's figures, The Lir Jet is top-rated and we just managed to chin him on the line last time.

"It just seemed logical to spend €20,000 of our €51,000 Papin euros to go and have a crack at another Group race – where better than the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh? That's the stuff dreams are made of."

Palin added of Ventura Tormenta's wellbeing: "Richard has been more than happy with him since his win in France.

"Every time we speak to him about any horse in the yard, all he ever seems to want to talk about is Ventura Tormenta and how he's thriving, how he's putting weight on.

Tim Palin on Ventura Tormenta: 'Richard [Hannon] has been more than happy with him since his win in France'Credit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

"A few days after coming home from France he said the horse looked even better than before he went. He's on the up."

Ventura Tormenta and/or The Lir Jet would be the first overseas-trained runners in an Irish Group 1 since resumption, should they line up on Sunday.

Aidan O'Brien has five potential runners at this stage, with Giorgio Vasari a notable entrant, having also been supplemented after his victory at Naas on Monday.

The Fozzy Stack-trained Aloha Star, who was last seen edging out Frenetic in the Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes, was also supplemented and holds an entry in the upcoming Tattersalls Online August Sale.

O'Brien, who will be seeking his 17th win in the race, said: "We've supplemented Giorgio Vasari, who we were delighted with on Monday night at Naas.

Giorgio Vasari: Naas winner has been supplemented for Sunday's Group 1 highlight at the CurraghCredit: Patrick McCann

"He looks to be a progressive horse so we were happy to supplement him.

"St Mark's Basilica was second on his debut at the Curragh under Wayne [Lordan] and we've left him in there with Admiral Nelson, who finished fourth in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood last week, Swiss Ace and Mother Earth."

Phoenix Stakes (August 9)

Paddy Power: 2 Steel Bull, 7-2 The Lir Jet, 11-2 Ventura Tormenta, 6 Lucky Vega, 7 Law Of Indices, 8 Admiral Nelson, Mother Earth, Swiss Ace, 10 bar

Entries for Keeneland Phoenix Stakes

Admiral Nelson (Aidan O'Brien)
Giorgio Vasari (Aidan O'Brien)
Laws Of Indices (Ken Condon)
Lucky Vega (Jessica Harrington)
St Mark's Basilica (Aidan O'Brien)
State Of Rest (Joseph O'Brien)
Steel Bull (Michael O'Callaghan)
Swiss Ace (Aidan O'Brien)
The Lir Jet (Michael Bell)
To Glory (Ger Lyons)
Ventura Tormenta (Richard Hannon)
Aloha Star (Fozzy Stack)
Bubbles On Ice (Fozzy Stack)
Frenetic (Ger Lyons)
Mother Earth (Aidan O'Brien)

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