Japanese star Pop Rock, beaten just a half-head by stablemate Delta Blues in the 2006 Melbourne Cup, has made a successful European debut.

The nine-year-old, now prepared by Takashi Kodama at the Curragh, took out the last event over 2800m at the Galway Festival on Friday night.

The son of Helissio has earned over STG2 million ($A3.47 million) in his career and, under Fran Berry, took the race by 2-1/2 lengths, the Racing Post reported.

It said Pop Rock also held an entry for Thursday's Goodwood Cup but stayed in Ireland, with the undulations of the course proving a new challenge as his trainer explained.

"He's worked well since I got him but I never had much confidence because he's never run on a track like this," Kodama said.

"He's only ever run on very flat tracks.

"I found he still had ability and Fran was very happy with him and said he went well on the track.

"The owners just have him for fun and want to run him in the Irish Leger.

"I don't mind what happens there, this win is enough for me."