Atsila makes Group Three leap with Athasi glory

Atsila enhanced her reputation with victory in the Coolmore Stud Auguste Rodin Irish EBF Athasi Stakes at the Curragh.

Donnacha O’Brien’s filly faced a steep rise in class for the Group Three contest following a winning debut at Bellewstown a month ago and was priced up accordingly at 11-1.

The daughter of Phoenix Of Spain proved up to the task though, finishing the one-mile contest strongly under Gavin Ryan to prevail by half a length from Cercene, with Barnavara and California Dreamer not far behind in third and fourth respectively.

O’Brien said: “She’s lazy at home so you don’t really know you have her. We gave her a run in Bellewstown and she bolted up from a position she shouldn’t have.

“We said we’d throw her in the deep end here and she’s coped with that as well, so she’s obviously a very solid filly.

“They went hard, there were no hiding places, she travelled well. She got a little bit tight for room as well, if she had a clear run she might have won a bit further.

“She just looks like she’s a good filly.”

Atsila looks set for an immediate step up to Group One level, with O’Brien adding: “I spoke to Barry (Fowler, owner) last week about putting her in the Coronation Stakes (at Royal Ascot). I talked him out of it and obviously shouldn’t have.

“We’ll see how she comes out of it. If she comes out of it very well, Barry mentioned that we could supplement for the Irish Guineas or something like that.

“All you can do from now is go up in class and see where her level is. She’s two from two and she’s earned a shot at a good race.”