Top class Group 1-winning sprinter Arizona Blaze, one of the outstanding members of his generation at both two and three, has been retired by AMO Racing to stand at the Irish National Stud in 2026.
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 Gr.3 Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh in May.
Over the remainder of his juvenile career Arizona Blaze continued to match the best two-year-olds around with a succession of cracking efforts, placing in the Gr.2 Norfolk Stakes, the Gr.1 Phoenix Stakes and the Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.
At three Arizona Blaze laid down a notable early season marker when he broke the track record over 5 furlongs at Chantilly in the Gr.3 Prix Sigy – a race which has previously been won by the likes of Sands Of Mali.
Following a close second in the Gr.1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, Arizona Blaze made a victorious return to Ireland to dominate a quality field in the Gr.2 Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh in July.
An especially well-deserved Gr.1 success followed at the Curragh in September when he landed the Flying Five Stakes, accounting for a host of G1 winners headed by this year’s Nunthorpe stakes winner Asfoora. Since the Flying Five was upgraded to Gr.1 status Arizona Blaze sits alongside leading sire Havana Grey as the only three-year-old colt to have won the race.
Arizona Blaze retires to stud as a winner at Gr.1, Gr.2 and Gr.3 level, with a Timeform rating of 119, having earned close to €1m in prizemoney.
“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,” said AMO’s Kia Joorabchian.
“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.”
Cathal Beale, CEO commented ‘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 5 and 6 furlongs. He is a horse with great quality, strength and a terrific action.
Arizona Blaze will stand for a fee of €12,500 in 2026.
Contact the team to reserve a nomination on +353 45521251.
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