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Danehill nailed the first European juvenile Group One event of the season when the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt Spartacus captured the Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh on August 11.

The win by Spartacus holds positive repercussions for Australia, particularly Victoria’s Eliza Park Stud and Baramul Stud in NSW.

Eliza Park Stud is standing classy import Johann Cruyff, a G2-winning full brother to Spartacus from the winning Ogygian mare Teslemi..

Baramul Stud’s Gerry Harvey was lucky enough to purchase Spartacus’ half sister Mantles Princess at the 2001 Australian Broodmare Sale for $180,000. 

Mantles Princess was in foal to Desert King, a cover that resulted in a bay filly who may be offered for sale in 2003 as a yearling.

Mantles Princess is currently due to foal to Flying Spur. Her first foal, a Danehill filly who is as a three-quarter sister-in-blood to 
Spartacus, will be trained by Gai Waterhouse for prominent Gold Coast owner Yvonne Smith.

Spartacus was,the outsider in Aidan O'Brien’s four-horse team in the Phoenix Stakes, running as a 16/1 chance, and gave the remarkable trainer his fifth consecutive win in the premier juvenile event.

O’Brien’s favoured runner was Hold That Tiger, the $US1.1 million half brother to Belmont Stakes winner Editor’s Note by Storm Cat.

However the previously-unbeaten colt finished last of the nine runners and was reported to have pulled up with respiratory distress. 

Spartacus was ridden by apprentice jockey Colm O'Donoghue and gave the 21-year-old his first Group success.

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