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 ($14,466) in 2026.
The son of Sergei Prokofiev ran out an impressive winner of the first 2-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 (G3), 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 (G1) and runner-up finish in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T).
At 3 this year, Arizona Blaze laid down an early season marker when breaking the course record over 5 furlongs at Chantilly in the Prix Sigy (G3). He was also a close second in the Commonwealth Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot before landing the Sapphire Stakes (G2) at the Curragh in July. His career highlight came with victory in the Flying Five Stakes (G1) 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.
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."
The roster is headed by Phoenix of Spain, who will stand at an increased fee of €12,500 (from €10,000). The 2019 Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1) hero sired five individual group winners this year and four individual group 1 performers, including top-level scorer Caballo de Mar.
Lucky Vega, operating at a 42% winners to runners strike rate following a strong autumn, is second in the first-season sires' table with 4.4% stakes horses to runners. The 2020 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 2020 Coventry Stakes (G2)-winning son of Kodiac is third behind Starman and Lucky Vega in the first-season sires' table with a 38% 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 10% of those the dams of stakes winners and a further 25% the dams of stakes-placed horses.
