Ger Lyons enjoyed a return to Group 1-winning ways at the Curragh on Saturday, when the unbeaten Babouche became the first filly in 13 years to win the Phoenix Stakes.

Stable jockey Colin Keane partnered the bay to victory in the colours of owner/breeder Juddmonte Farms, the same combination having landed the 2019 running with Siskin.

Saturday’s success was comprehensive, relegating the Aidan O’Brien-trained favourite Whsitlejacket to runner-up status. There was another length and three quarters back to the Adrian Murray-trained Arizona Blaze in third.

It marked four years since Lyons last celebrated a top-flight victory, which was Even So’s win in the Irish Oaks, and the trainer was keen to emphasise the challenge to return to the highest level.

“These horses are hard to find, you know,” the Meath-based trainer told the press.

“The whole thing about winning Group 1 races is sourcing the horse. There’s only one outfit on the planet who can source the horse consistently, and that’s Aidan’s (O’Brien). But when the rest of us get the chance, we can do it. So, it’s nice to get the chance, but it’s rare for most of us.”

The progressive Quadruple completed a double on the card for Lyons, bringing his current tally of wins to 39 for the season, having ended 2023 with 40 in an unusually quiet year for the trainer.

Lyons is enjoying a return to form thanks to the required raw material.

“I know we have some nice two-year-olds this year. It’s nice that when we have one that they deliver, because nine times out of 10, they don’t deliver. These horses come along seldomly, but when they do, they’re worth the wait.”

The subject of having the required calibre of horses was one touched on by Ross O’Sullivan after training the third of four winners at the Galway Festival.

“There are loads of trainers similar to me who just need the chance to get the horses,” commented the Kildare-based handler, who is enjoying a standout season under both codes.

Ado McGuinness was another who highlighted the issue in a recent interview with The Irish Field, as he revealed that few trainers can survive on prize money alone, due to what he sees as unsatisfactory purses.

Instead, he and others are forced to sell their most promising horses to fund the business, leaving them without opportunity to show what they can do with the right horse.