30 August 2020
Photo scoopdyga.com
Sunday, August 30, 2020, Deauville. – Third in the Grand Handicap de Deauville with 9st8lb, after having already finished third this season in the Prix du Palais-Royal (Gr3) and the Prix de la Porte Maillot (Gr3) over 7 furlongs, Stunning Spirit (Invincible Spirit) finally won his first Group race, the Barrière Prix Quincey (Gr3), run over the Deauville straight mile, after having finished seven times 2nd or 3rd at this level.
Owned by the Chehboub family’s Haras de la Gousserie, the 6-year-old horse led a trio along the rail, while the other three runners took to the stands’ side, led by Manjeer (Footstepsinthesand).
The inside rail proved to be the good one as it took gained the upper hand about 2 furlongs out and Stunning Spirit won “his” race easily, posting a three and a half lengths victory over the second-placed We Ride The World (Orpen), who had trailed the rail trio behind the fourth-placed Aviateur (Intense Focus), beaten for third place by Les Vertus (Shakespearean), “winner” on the other side.
Trained by Frédéric Rossi and his nephew Cédric, the first two come both from Calas, the Marseilles training centre.
Stunning Spirit was bought for € 65,000 at the Arqana Arc sales last October by bloodstock agent Paul Nataf after starting his career for his breeder, George Strawbridge. He had previously finished second in the same event behind Skalleti, also trained near Marseilles.
His 4-year-old sister by Champs Elysees, winner of one race, fetched € 47,000 at the Arqana breeding sales in December when bought by Blandford, and she has been exported to Ireland.
A 2-year-old colt by Le Havre in training with Freddy Head and a yearling by Kingman follow.