Chantilly-based Corkonian Gavin Hernon registered a notable first training success in Ireland today as Spirit D'or (13/2) landed the Curragh's Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales Stakes under his old friend, jockey Ronan Whelan.

On a big weekend for Irish racing, juvenile filly Spirit D'or had her first run outside France and, under Whelan, won comfortably by two lengths from runner-up Gloriously Glam collecting first prize of €138,000.

French-based Hernon wasn't present and Whelan revealed “it was a big call from Gavin to bring her over here and I got a good kick out of that as myself and Gavin worked in Jim Bolger's many moons ago, so that's our connection.

“He rang me during the week and we had a talk about whether it was worth bringing her and we both thought it was a good idea. Little fish are nice and it's a great pot to get.

“I'm very grateful to Gavin, he didn't forget from all those years ago and we're quite close. It was a great training performance, as she's not simple either.”

He added “watching her videos and speaking to everyone involved she is quite a forward-going filly. Going that last (extra) furlong was a little bit of an unknown but we thought if she did things right, she'd see it out.

“She has a great attitude, she's tough. I maybe got there sooner than ideal but I didn't want to break her momentum.”

Quotes from Gary Carson