Australian breeders only had access to Darley’s champion miler Palace Pier (GB) for one season with the resulting foals set to run as 2YO’s this season and the son of Kingman is making his mark in Europe with a new stakes-winner overnight.
The Group III Solario Stakes (7f) at Sandown saw the Clive cox trained colt A Bit of spirit start favourite having chased home another Palace Pier colt in Morris Dancer for second in a Listed race earlier this month.
He justified the support of punters when scoring a nose win over Zoustar colt Oceans Four (later demoted to third following a protest from Humidity, who was elevated to second) with Rossa Ryan in the saddle taking his overall record to three wins and two seconds from five starts.
“A Bit of Spirit is so tough. He was beaten for a minute but got back up and we had no idea if he'd cope with the soft conditions today. I'm just so proud of him and delighted for Paul and Clare Rooney, who have been good supporters of the yard,” said Clive Cox.
“Now we know he handles this ground we can plot accordingly and all the big two-year-old races are open to him.”
Purchased for 75,000 guineas from the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale by Kevin Ross Bloodstock, A Bit of Spirit is the third stakes-winner for Palace Pier.
He is the first foal of well bred Dubawi mare Tanaaghom, a daughter of stakes-winning Teofilo mare Adool, who traces directly back to legendary blue hen Fall Aspen, via the Elle Soule branch of the family.
Below is a list of the top sellers from the first and only crop of yearlings by Palace Pier.
