On Saturday, a filly who had previously gone somewhat under the radar announced herself as a lively Group 1 contender, and shone a light on her young sire.

Trained by Roger Varian, Lady Of Spain had understandably been pigeonholed by some as an all-weather horse after winning her first four starts on the surface, including a listed event at Deauville in December. That was her last start before Saturday, and came by three lengths against 15 rivals – nothing to be sniffed at.

After a significant absence, the now four-year-old was sent off 14/1 for the Group 3 Atalanta Stakes, and looked an unlikely winner as she toiled behind smooth-travelling market leaders in the straight. Ray Dawson’s mount found plenty under pressure late on, drawing clear with 7/2 shot Blue Bolt and led by half a length on the line, with another four lengths back to the third.

“She has got a lot of ability” and “she seems like a proper filly” were among Dawson’s post-race comments, with William Hill reacting by shortening her price to 7/1 from 25/1 for the Sun Chariot Stakes.

“She is something special,” part-owner Leon Boros remarked after the race, adding: “She has always had this great attitude. I think we have always done well with the horses we have chosen as we go attitude first and we saw that in her when she was very young."

Patience, patience

“We have had to be patient with her as those by Phoenix Of Spain tend to be quite big and they put a lot of pressure on those front legs so they need time to mature. I’ve got another one called Indalo, who won a couple of days (off an official rating of 86).”

Lady Of Spain’s success and Boros’ remarks about Phoenix Of Spain’s progeny led me to dig deeper into the Irish National Stud sire. While the son of Lope De Vega himself was a talented two-year-old, winning the Acomb Stakes and beaten just a head in the Futurity Trophy, his career highlight came as a three-year-old when making all to a three-length win in the Irish 2000 Guineas, with Too Darn Hot his nearest rival.

His first crop produced some talented juveniles, led by Group 2 Vintage Stakes winner Haatem, leading to a sharp rise in mares in 2024, jumping from 91 to 217. Haatem, of course, went on to place in both the English and Irish 2000 Guineas, as well as win the Jersey Stakes.

Unfortunately, two of Phoenix Of Spain’s highly-rated first runners were sold to Hong Kong. Maiden winner Alpheratz progressed to place at Group 3 level, beaten half a length in the Park Express Stakes, while Flying Finn earned blacktype in France.

However, the demanding bloodstock market often overlooks group performers if they’re not at the highest level or hitting the headlines, and the popularity that Phoenix Of Spain found with breeders in 2024 lost momentum by the yearling sales, when his progeny averaged €26,602.

Bargain territory

That was bad news for vendors, but good news for buyers, who are likely to have landed themselves a bargain if Phoenix Of Spain’s current record is anything to go by. From just 90 runners in Europe so far in 2025, he has sired five group horses, three of them Group 3 winners. According to data provided by Arion Pedigrees, three group winners is the same tally as Havana Grey (177 runners) and Too Darn Hot (151 runners), and greater than some ‘leading’ sires (I’ll leave you to figure out who).

Phoenix Of Spain’s latest group scorer has been discussed in detail above, and it was the Donnacha O’Brien-trained Atsila who set the tone when winning the Group 3 Athasi Stakes at the Curragh in May, beating a certain Cercene. Cheshire Dancer has risen through the ranks, placing at Royal Ascot and in a listed contest, before landing the Group 3 Valiant Stakes – not bad for a €36,000 yearling.

Phoenix Of Spain commanded €10,000 in 2025 and the only other stallion standing for that price or lower, to match his group-winning tally, was Australia, though Golden Horn comes close at a fee of £10,000.

With the yearling sales now underway, it’s interesting to note that he’s not the only quietly-achieving sire flying below the radar, but I can’t do all the work for you…