Irish National Stud resident Phoenix Of Spain (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) became Europe’s latest first-crop sire to get off the mark when Spanish Phoenix (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}–Freedom March {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) graduated at the second time of asking in Saturday’s £8,000 Atlantic Pale Ale Maiden S. over five furlongs at Leicester.
The even-money favourite, who ran fourth in his Apr. 10 debut at Kempton, raced on the front end after a slick getaway and extended clear under mild urging once shaken up approaching the final furlong to easily outpoint Too Much Trevor (GB) (Magna Grecia {Ire}) by 6 1/2 lengths.
Spanish Phoenix, half-brother to a yearling filly by Ribchester (Ire) from the family of MG1SW distaffer Pride (Fr) (Peintre Celebre), is the second foal and scorer produced by a winning half-sister to the dual Group 3-placed Bell Rock (GB) (Kingman {GB}). The February-foaled bay’s GSP second dam Literally (Ire) (Statue Of Liberty) is kin to three black-type winners, headed by G1 1000 Guineas heroine Speciosa (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), and to the dam of G1 Prix Marcel Boussac vixtrix Zellie (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}).
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