Amo Racing's Group 1 winner Arizona Blaze retired to stand at the Irish National Stud

Arizona Blaze: Flying Five Stakes winner has retired to the Irish National StudCredit: Patrick McCann

Group 1-winning sprinter Arizona Blaze has been retired from racing and will stand his first season at the Irish National Stud for a fee of €12,500 in 2026.

The son of Sergei Prokofiev ran out an impressive winner of the first two-year-old maiden of the season in Ireland in March last year and on his third start defeated subsequent Classic hero Camille Pissarro in the Marble Hill Stakes, both of those races at the Curragh. 

A tough and talented operator for Amo Racing, Arizona Blaze continued to run with huge credit in black-type company for the remainder of the season. Those efforts included a third in the Phoenix Stakes and runner-up finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

At three this year, Arizona Blaze laid down an early-season marker when breaking the track record over five furlongs at Chantilly in the Prix Sigy. He was also a close second in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot before landing the Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh in July. 

His career highlight came with victory in the Flying Five Stakes at the same track on what proved his last race in September, and the colt retires to stud as a winner at Group 1, 2 and 3 level, and with earnings of more than £800,000. 

Arizona Blaze (purple silks, centre) lands the Flying Five StakesCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Cathal Beale, chief executive of the Irish National Stud, said: "We're 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's a horse with great quality, strength and a terrific action."

Amo's Kia Joorabchian said: "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're delighted to partner with the Irish National Stud for this next chapter – we believe it's the perfect home for him. Amo Racing is committed to fully supporting Arizona Blaze throughout his stud career."

Phoenix on the rise

The roster is headed by Phoenix Of Spain, who will stand at an increased fee of €12,500 (from €10,000). The Irish 2,000 Guineas hero sired five individual Group winners this year and four individual Group 1 performers, including top-level scorer Caballo De Mar.

Phoenix Of Spain headlines the 2026 Irish National Stud rosterCredit: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Lucky Vega, operating at a 42 per cent winners to runners strike-rate following a strong autumn, is second in the first-season sires' table with 4.4 per cent stakes horses to runners. The Phoenix Stakes winner will also stand at €12,500.

Nando Parrado will stand for an increased €7,000 (up from €6,000 this year). The Coventry Stakes-winning son of Kodiac is third behind Starman and Lucky Vega in the first-season sires' table with a 38 per cent winners to runners strike-rate. His progeny are headed by Ballyhane Stakes winner Howd’yadoit and the Listed-winning Chairmanfourtimes.

Completing the roster is Shouldvebeenaring, who is unchanged at €6,000. 

The Group-winning son of Havana Grey covered a healthy book of nearly 130 mares in his first season, with ten per cent of those the dams of stakes winners and a further 25 per cent the dams of stakes-placed horses.

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