A Bit of Spirit Bravely Battles to Win Group 3 Solario Stakes

Sandown Park played host to an enthralling four-way blanket finish on Saturday (30^th August), as A Bit of Spirit showed tremendous courage and edged a thrilling showdown to land the prestigious Group 3 BetMGM Solario Stakes over seven furlongs.

Traditionally a proving ground for juveniles, the Solario Stakes often helps shape the pecking order among rising stars. This year’s race required not just raw ability but also resilience – and A Bit of Spirit delivered both in abundance.

Ridden with confidence by Rossa Ryan, the colt was always travelling strongly and moved into the lead with two furlongs from home. After being headed inside the closing stages, he fought back with remarkable tenacity. In a heart-raising finish, he battled on and got his head back in front where it mattered most – crossing the line to win by a nose. This victory was also a testament to the ride of his jockey, with credit going to Rossa for producing a perfectly judged and determined effort in the saddle.

Already a dual Listed runner-up, the two-year-old arrived at this race with strong credentials, and we are pleased to say our decision to drop him back from a mile was vindicated. He is a tough horse, with a real fighting quality, and although we came into this race with slight reservations about the ground, he handled it with great assurance. Knowing he can perform on a softer surface gives us even more options going forward, and we can now approach autumn targets with real confidence. A Bit of Spirit is very well entered and has bases covered in the Lagardère and Dewhurst over seven furlongs. He also has the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes available, so watch this space.

We couldn’t be prouder of all that A Bit of Spirit has achieved so far this season. He has made a flying start to his career and firmly established himself as a two-year-old to follow. A huge congratulations to his owners, Paul and Clare Rooney, and a heartfelt thank you to the whole team at home, whose hard work has been rewarded with this fantastic Group 3 success.