Phoenix Of Dreams became the first Coral Racing Club runner of 2026 on Tuesday, when he ran at Southwell in the Class 5 Handicap (20:30) over six furlongs.

Having run once in December, following a wind operation in the previous month, Phoenix Of Dreams was back out on track again at the first opportunity in the new year. Trainers John & Sean Quinn were pleased with the work he was doing at home, and it appeared as though he was reaping the rewards of the procedure as he worked back up to full fitness at home. He wasn't without friends in the market too, having opened up as big as 10/1 the morning of the race, before being backed into 11/2 at post time to leave him sat third in the betting.

He kicked out of the stalls alerty, getting across from the wide stall of eight that he was drawn in to take up a position on the haunches of the early leader, Blackjack. In the early stages of the race you could see that he was quite lit up and keen, so jockey Jason Hart had a job on his hands to try settle him to help him from over-racing. 

As they rounded the bend into the home straight, they were well in touch with the leaders, but Jason had started to work on Phoenix Of Dreams to ask for more. He responded well, but as they came into the final furlong he began to lose his position. As the rest of the field began to pick off those who'd been prominent throughout, it was Showtime Mahomes who showed the best turn of foot and he went on to win comfortably by three quarters of a length, with Phoenix Of Dreams coming home in sixth place, beaten by just over four lengths.

WATCH: Jason Hart gives his immediate reaction to Phoenix Of Dreams' run at Southwell

We caught up with Sean the morning after the race for more reflection on Phoenix Of Dreams' run, as well as to see what the plan will be with him going forward:

"Phoenix Of Dreams came out of the race really well. He's eaten up and doesn't look to be feeling any ill effects of a well run race. I've had a chance to watch the race back since and I do think that he ran well, given that the contest ended up being quite messy.

Having spoken to Jason following the run, he believes that when Holbache came around the outside of Phoenix Of Dreams on the bend, it just lit him up a little bit too much, and ended up with our runner using up more energy than we would have liked at that stage in the contest. I'm of the same opinion in that regard and I just think that he's ended up being too keen in the early/middle stages of the race and hasn't been able to get home as a result.

I'd like to get a little bit of cover with him next time we run and just ride him a little more quietly in the first half of the race, although that might be easier said than done given that Phoenix Of Dreams is quite a free going runner.

We ran off 68 there, and I'd hope that the handicapper will drop us to a mark of 65 which will open the door to a slightly lower grade of racing which could help him to get his head back in front again. We'd hope that when he does win another race that it helps his confidence and that we can kick on with him towards the end of the all-weather season and get him back on turf, where we believe he can perform well.

Check back soon for further Phoenix Of Dreams updates and to find out where he could be heading for his next run.