Phoenix of Spain (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}-Lucky Clio {Ire}, by Key of Luck), the winner of this year's G1 Irish 2000 Guineas, has been retired to the Irish National Stud for 2020.
Trained by Charlie Hills for Tony Wechsler and Ann Plummer, Phoenix of Spain won twice at two, including the G3 Acomb S. He was second to Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G2 Champagne S. and to Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in the Vertem Futurity Trophy. Phoenix of Spain won the Irish 2000 Guineas first-up, beating both those former rivals.
“The fashion of his G3 Acomb win told us we had a proper horse on our hands,” said trainer Charlie Hills. “Three weeks later his second to Too Darn Hot in the G2 Champagne S. confirmed this. The G1 Vertem Futurity was an obvious target for us after his Champagne run and he was unfortunate not to get the decision that day from Magna Grecia by a short head.
“When he renewed his rivalry with Too Darn Hot and Magna Grecia my thoughts were confirmed when he beat the high-class field in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas,” Hills added. “I believe this was one of the fastest Guineas run in history. Being a Classic winner by Lope De Vega, given his strength, physique, character and acceleration Phoenix must have an exciting future at The Irish National Stud and I look forward to purchasing and racing his offspring.”
Irish National Stud Chief Executive Officer Cathal Beale added, “When our team went to see Phoenix of Spain, we all agreed he had the exceptional physical we had been looking for and we knew there and then he was the perfect fit for us. To then go on and win the first Classic at the new Curragh, on our doorstep, was fantastic. There will be a limited number of shares available in him and a fee will be announced shortly.”
Phoenix of Spain is the highest-rated and first Classic-winning son of Lope de Vega to retire to stud.
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