Lope de Vega’s Phoenix of Spain Dominates the Irish 2000 Guineas

[Wandering Eyes]

Having played second fiddle to both Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) at two, Tony Wechsler and Ann Plummer’s Phoenix of Spain (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) arrived at The Curragh a fresh horse on Saturday to put them and all others in their shade in the G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas. Imposing in stature, it may be that the G3 Acomb S. winner and G2 Champagne S. and G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy runner-up needed his collective experience at two and he reappeared a monster whose considerable presence marked this race at every stage. Always happy on the front end, the 16-1 chance had all bar the 6-4 joint-favourite Too Darn Hot in trouble inside the last two furlongs and he quickly put that rival in the red as he stormed to an emphatic three-length success. The champion juvenile was a half length in front of Decrypt (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) at the line, with the other joint-favourite Magna Grecia disappointing in fifth.

1–PHOENIX OF SPAIN (IRE), 126, c, 3, by Lope de Vega (Ire)
1st Dam: Lucky Clio (Ire), by Key of Luck
2nd Dam: Special Lady (Fr), by Kaldoun (Fr)
3rd Dam: Macedoine (Fr), by King of Macedon (Ire)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (78,000gns Wlg ’16 TATFOA; 220,000gns Ylg ’17 TATOCT). O-Tony Wechsler & Ann Plummer; B-Mrs Cherry Faeste (IRE); T-Charles Hills; J-Jamie Spencer. *1/2 to Central Square (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}), GSP-Ire; Kingsdesire (Ire) (King’s Best), GSP-Eng; and Lucky Beggar (Ire) (Verglas {Ire}), MSP-Eng, $185,021.

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