Phoenix Of Spain's Classic success continues the rise of Lope De Vega

Ballylinch Stud's rising star sire Lope De Vega supplied his eighth Group 1 winner - and his first Classic scorer - when Phoenix Of Spain stormed to a three-length success in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.

The colt was already one of 94 stakes performers sired by Lope De Vega, after success in the Acomb Stakes at two, when he also finished second to Magna Grecia in the Vertem Futurity Trophy having also filled the same place behind Too Darn Hot in the Champagne Stakes.

However, those pieces of form were comfortably reversed as Phoenix Of Spain made a stunning three-year-old reappearance, a performance that helps his sire maintain his steep upward trajectory.

Lope De Vega in his paddock at Ballylinch StudCredit: Ballylinch Stud

The son of Shamardal, who completed the Poule d'Essai des Poulains-Prix du Jockey Club double in 2010, joined the Ballylinch roster at a fee of €15,000 the following year.

Having supplied a slew of high-class talents, names such as Belardo, Newspaperofrecord and Santa Ana Lane, from his five crops of racing age, Lope De Vega has proved more popular that ever priced at €80,000 for 2019.

LOPE DE VEGA'S GROUP/GRADE 1 WINNERS

Belardo won Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes, Dubai Dewhurst Stakes
Capla Temptresswon Natalma Stakes
Jemayelwon Pour Moi Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary
Newspaperofrecordwon Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
Phoenix Of Spainwon Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas
Santa Ana Lanewon Aquis T J Smith Stakes, Darley Goodwood, Darley VRC Sprint Classic, Keno Sir Rupert Clarke Invitational Stakes, Ubet Stradbroke Handicap
The Right Manwon Azizi Developments Al Quoz Sprint
Vega Magicwon Darley Goodwood, NZ Bloodstock Memsie Stakes

Phoenix Of Spain also pays a fine tribute to his breeder, the late Cherry Faeste. The Charlie Hills-trained colt is the seventh foal out of the Key Of Luck mare Lucky Clio, who ran just twice for Faeste without distinction having been purchased for a mere 17,000gns by Brian Grassick Bloodstock at the 2007 Tattersalls December Mares Sale.

However, what Lucky Clio, who has a peak Racing Post Rating of just 56, lacked in racing ability, she has more than made up for as a producer. She has supplied seven winners from as many runners, with four of her progeny having gained black type.

Her first foal is the Group 3-placed Kingsdesire, a son of King's Best, who was followed by the Listed-placed Lucky Beggar, by Verglas, and Central Square, a son of Azamour who finished third in a Curragh Group 3.

Lucky Clio's crowning achievement comes as the result of Faeste's decision to send the mare to be covered by Lope De Vega in 2015, the year the stallion's fee had risen from €12,500 to €40,000.

That mating resulted in Phoenix Of Spain, who was foaled on February 17, 2016. Later that year the colt was sent to the Tattersalls December Sale, where he was pinhooked by Good Will Bloodstock for 78,000gns.

His next appearance at public auction came at the following year's October Yearling Sale, where Geoffrey Howson and Matthew Houldsworth of Howson and Houldsworth Bloodstock unearthed the future Classic winner on behalf of owners Tony Wechsler and Ann Plummer for 220,000gns.

Bloodstock agent Geoffrey Howson (second left) with connections after the success of Phoenix Of SpainCredit: Patrick McCann

There could be more to come from Lucky Clio too, as she also has a two-year-old brother to Phoenix Of Spain on the ground. The colt was pinhooked by Grove Stud for €110,000 as a foal, but missed his intended appearances at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale and Arqana Breeze-Up Sale.

The mare also has a yearling colt by Awtaad, who was pinhooked by Tally-Ho Stud for €58,000 last year, and was covered by Ribchester in 2018.

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