SPIRIT OF BERMUDA (Twilight Son) posted a taking debut success in a Class 2 Maiden on the third day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival. William Haggas’s strapping bay filly was driven out by Tom Marquand to land the spoils in a thrilling finish, getting the better of three fillies with prior experience. She became the first UK winner and third individual winner in total for Twilight Son, who has already sired the unbeaten Group 3 winner ARIA IMPORTANTE. In Great Britain & Ireland, Twilight Son has also sired Listed runner-up GRAMMATA and the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes 4th GET IT.
Spirit of Bermuda had already made quite an impression this year at the Craven Breeze-up Sale. Consigned by Tally-Ho Stud, she was the second most expensive filly through the ring, eventually selling for 210,000gns to John & Jake Warren on behalf of Bermuda Racing Limited. Bred by Powerstown Stud, Spirit of Bermuda is the ninth foal and fifth winner out of the Alhaarth mare Laqataat. Tally-Ho Stud pinhooked Spirit of Bermuda as a foal for €68,000 from Altenbach Bloodstock at the 2018 Goffs November Foals Sale.
Twilight Son made a winning debut himself, in mid-August of his two-year-old season. Unbeaten through his first five starts, Twilight Son improved with each run, culminating with success in the Group 1 Sprint Cup as a three-year-old on his first attempt in pattern company . Henry Candy’s star sprinter returned to the track at four to add the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes to his resume.