French Visitor Spirit d’Or Claims €250,000 Super Auction Sales Stakes

Tattersalls Ireland €250,000 Super Auction Sales Stakes attracted a sizable field of 22 runners, with the sole French visitor Spirit d’Or landing the valuable prize for Chantilly based Gavin Hernon.

With prize money on offer down to tenth place, it was no surprise to witness another hotly contested renewal of the race, staged on a flagship day for flat racing during the Irish Champions Festival at The Curragh.

It was a first try at the six-and-a-half furlong distance for the winner, who having raced prominently, hit the front at the furlong pole and asserted for a two-length win over the Jessica Harrington-trained Gloriously Glam.

The Invincible Spirit filly was providing Irishman Gavin Hernon with his first winner in his native country. Owned by FTP Equine Holdings Ltd, she was ridden to victory by Ronan Whelan who ironically purchased the runner-up at the 2023 September Yearling Sale.

Spirit d’Or was bred and consigned by the Irish National Stud at the 2023 September Yearling Sale. As the winning consignor, the Irish National Stud will be presented with the keys to an Overlander R240 horsebox at next week's September Yearling Sale.

The dam of Spirit d'Or, Across The Sea was a two-time winner, while the second dam on her page Alsindi was a smart juvenile, winning the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes for Clive Brittain on her second start.

The winner was purchased for €55,000 last September by David l’Estrange and Drummona House, and was adding to her maiden win three weeks previously at Moulins. 

The win of Spirit d’Or marked a significant pedigree update for Lot 417 in next week’s September Yearling Sale, as he is a full-brother to Gavin Hernon’s two-year-old.

The September Yearling Sale takes place on the 24th and 25th September, with Part II scheduled to take place on 26th September. The sale will commence at 10am on all three days.

All lots catalogued at the September Yearling Sale and Sapphire Sale are eligible for the 2025 running of the Tattersalls Ireland €250,000 Super Auction Sales Stakes.