Group 1-winning sprinter Arizona Blaze (Sergei Prokofiev) has been retired by Amo Racing and will stand at the Irish National Stud next year. His fee has been set at €12,500.
An impressive winner of the first two-year-old maiden of the season in March 2024, Arizona Blaze quickly established himself with a defeat of the subsequent Classic winner Camille Pissarro in the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh in May.
Over the remainder of his juvenile career, he continued to match the best two-year-olds around with a succession of cracking efforts, placing in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes, the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes and the Group 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.
At three, Arizona Blaze laid down a notable early-season marker when he broke the track record over five furlongs at Chantilly in the Group 3 Prix Sigy – a race which has previously been won by the likes of Sands Of Mali.
However, his career highlight came when successful in the Group 1 Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh, which turned out to be his final start.
Arizona Blaze retires to stud with a Timeform rating of 119 and Amo boss Kia Joorabchian commented, “Arizona Blaze has always demonstrated exceptional strength, speed and mental toughness and we have complete confidence in his ability to pass on his class, power and temperament.
“We are delighted to partner with the Irish National Stud for this next chapter which we believe is the perfect home for him. Amo Racing is committed to fully supporting Arizona Blaze throughout his stud career.”
Meanwhile, Irish National Stud CEO Cathal Beale, said, “We are delighted to stand Arizona Blaze, new for 2026, at the Irish National Stud. He was teak tough and remarkably consistent at the very highest level over five and six furlongs. He is a horse with great quality, strength and terrific action.”
Arizona Blaze will stand alongside Phoenix Of Spain and Lucky Vega, who will command the same fee of €12,500. Nando Parrado, who enjoyed a strong start at his first batch of runners this year, has been bumped up to €7,000 while Shouldvebeenaring's fee has been set at €6,000.
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