Night of Thunder Rumbles to Lockinge Victory
Description:
Night of Thunder streaked across the finish line first in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (Eng-I) May 16 at Newbury, closely chased by stablemate Toormore in a one-two finish for trainer Richard Hannon.
Starting for the first time in seven months and racing for the first time for new owner Godolphin, Night of Thunder won by a neck after taking control inside the final quarter mile. Toormore, who led with three-eighths to run, was hard-ridden in the final furlong to just miss.
Arod was three-quarters of a length back in third in the 16-horse field.
Hannon and his father, retired Richard Hannon Sr., have won four of the six most recent editions of the Lockinge, including with Olympic Glory last year.
"Night of Thunder looked to me like he was going to win very well and probably just got a little tired after his long spell off the track, but we couldn't be more pleased with both horses," Hannon told Racing Post.
Relaxing in mid-division, Night of Thunder moved over to the far rail as the front-runners drifted left and showed a brilliant turn of foot to secure the win.
Night of Thunder covered the mile with James Doyle aboard in 1:38.09 on good turf, improving to his career line to 4-3-1 from nine career starts that include his 2014 win in the QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas at 40-1 odds for previous owner Saeed Manana. Godolphin purchased the colt earlier this year.
A son of Godolphin sire Dubawi, Night of Thunder joins elite runners Frankel and Brigadier Gerard in sweeping the Two Thousand Guineas/Lockinge double.
Night of Thunder was the 11-4 joint favorite with Integral, who finished fourth, a neck behind Arod.
"This is just the start of his campaign and there'll be more to come," said about Night of Thunder. "He's a big type and went to win his race and had a puff and ground it out nicely. He's got a great attitude."
Night of Thunder and Toormore look likely to meet again at Royal Ascot in the Queen Anne Stakes (Eng-I) June 16.
Bred in Ireland by Frank Dunne, Night of Thunder was making his first start since finishing second a half-length second to Charm Spirit in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Eng-I) Oct. 18 at Ascot.
Night of Thunder is out of the stakes-placed Galileo mare Forest Storm. Cataloged in the elite Book 1 of the Tattersalls October yearling sale in 2012, he was knocked down to Rabbah Bloodstock for 32,000 guineas ($51,280).