Strong Start in 2026 for Phoenix of Spain

After a thrilling end to 2025 for Phoenix of Spain, which included his first Gr.1 winner CABALLO DE MAR on the track and his progeny selling for up to £900,000 gns at auction. Phoenix Of Spain roared into 2026 this week picking up where he left off with SOUL OF SPAIN narrowly edged out in the Gr.1 Sydney Cup and becoming his sire’s latest Gr.1 horse. The leading third crop sire by Gr. winners in 2025, ahead of Blue Point, Too Darn Hot, Study of Man etc. and placing him ahead of any other stallion at stud in Great Britian or Ireland. Laying down an early marker for the flat season ahead and a strong year for PHOENIX OF SPAIN in 2026 with most of his top performers remaining in training including Haatem, Aviatrice, Cheshire Dancer and Atsila along with Gr.1 winner CABALLO DE MAR running a gallant 2^nd in the Gr.2 Dubai Gold Cup on Super Saturday at Meydan. His next target is Royal Ascot for the ultra-consistent and tough son of Phoenix of Spain.

 

Soul of Spain finished a close second in Saturday’s Gr.1 Sydney Cup again underlines PHOENIX’S global appeal, prompting owner representative for Go Racing, Matt Allnutt to comment on the run, “He was unlucky in the Gr.1 Metropolitan, he is unlucky not to have won a Gr.1, but it will come. When you are at that level, you need everything to go your way to win those big races. He has been a bit unlucky, but he has certainly got the talent to win one and hopefully it is later this year.” This marks an exciting year for the son of Phoenix of Spain following on from finishing close behind top Australian mare, Autumn Glow in the Gr.1 Verry Elleegant Stakes earlier in the year and more Gr.1 targets are on the horizon.

 

The stats don’t lie, notable breeders are sending mares this season and are assisted by the catalyst of Phoenix Of Spain’s having his biggest and strongest crop set to hit the track next year in 2027. The momentum has continued through to the start of the season with smart maiden winners coming out such as Tamashal (OR 81 +) putting in a dominant 6 length victory over a mile and Crest Of Fire (OR86) by 10 lengths over the same distance look like progressive types typical of their sire.

 

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