Phoenix of Spain leads throughout in Irish 2000 Guineas

Phoenix of Spain was impossible to catch in Saturday’s Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas for 3-year-old milers at the Curragh Racecourse, spoiling a heavily hyped showdown between the Group 1 winners Magna Grecia and Too Darn Hot.

Ridden by Jaime Spencer for trainer Charlie Hills, Phoenix of Spain (16-1) led throughout and won his 3-year-old debut by three lengths over 3-2 co-favorite Too Darn Hot, who finished a half-length in front of 20-1 Decrypt in the field of 14.

Magna Grecia, the winner of the Group 1 English 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 4, could only finish fifth, beaten 5 3/4 lengths as the 3-2 co-favorite. Magna Grecia was third midway through the race, but offered no threat to Phoenix of Spain in the final furlong.

The $446,840 Irish 2000 Guineas, open to colts and fillies, was the second loss in as many starts this year for Too Darn Hot, the champion 2-year-old male of 2018 in Europe, who finished second in the Group 2 Dante Stakes going 1 5/16 miles at York Racecourse on May 16. Too Darn Hot, trained by John Gosden, was expected to start in the English 2000 Guineas, but was sidelined with a minor injury in early spring that led to him being sent to York for his first start of the year.

Phoenix of Spain, an Irish-bred colt by Lope de Vega, has won 3 of 6 starts for owners Tony Wechsler and Ann Plummer. Last year, Phoenix of Spain won the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York and was second to Too Darn Hot in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at seven furlongs at Doncaster in September and second by a head to Magna Grecia in the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes at a mile at Doncaster in October.

Hills said Phoenix of Spain had a training setback over the winter, which delayed his 3-year-old debut. Phoenix of Spain will be pointed for the Group 1 St. James’s Palace Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile at Royal Ascot on June 18, Hills said.