3 minute read

Son of Windsor Park shuttler scores a stylish victory at Cagnes Sur Mer

The Jean-Claude Rouget trained Fantastic Spirit (4 h Charm Spirit - Fantastic Cuix by Fantastic Light) returned to racing with a stylish three quarter length victory in the Prix de la Riviera (Listed, 2000m) at Cagnes Sur Mer on Sunday. 

The talented four-year-old travelled well in the run before producing a telling turn of foot in the straight. He hit the front inside the final 200 metres and held on to score with a little in reserve. American Bridge (Kodiac) closed along the inside, from near last, to be closest on the line while the short-priced favourite Kenway (Galiway) once again suffered trouble in running finishing an unlucky third a further three quarters of a length back.

Fantastic Spirit, already a Listed winner last year, was purchased by his trainer at the 2019 Arqana Breeze Up Sale for just €50,000. He is the only stakes winner out of Fantastic Cuix, a winning half-sister to Listed winner Mont Rocher (Caerleon). His third dam Floripedes (Top Ville) is the dam of Montjeu (Sadler’s Wells).

Fantastic Spirit is one of Charm Spirit’s (Invincible Spirit) nine stakes winners to date. Charm Spirit has shuttled to Windsor Park Stud since 2015 with his best New Zealand-bred progeny being headed by Group Two winners Aretha and Fascino.