Night Of Thunder Storms To Lockinge Win

Night Of Thunder made an impressive start to 2015 with a brave victory in the Group One Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes over the straight mile at Newbury, UK, on Saturday, May 16.

The Richard Hannon-trained four-year-old, successful in last year's QIPCO 2000 Guineas, broke well under James Doyle and soon raced in sixth as Yuften set a brisk gallop at the head of the record 16-strong field.

Night Of Thunder travelled powerfully behind the leaders and quickened up well to take the advantage with over a quarter-mile to race.

The son of Dubawi gained a good lead by the furlong-pole but was tiring in the closing stages as Toormore, also trained by Hannon, produced a late challenge.

Night Of Thunder stayed on strongly for neck success in 1m 38.09s on good ground, with three quarters of a length back to Arod in third.

He provided Godolphin with an unprecedented sixth success in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes, following on from Cape Cross (1998), Fly to the Stars (1999), Aljabr (2000), Creachadoir (2008) and Farhh (2013).

Richard Hannon said: "We are delighted. Night Of Thunder was travelling strongly and looked like he was going to win by a length or two lengths. I would say he just got a bit tired but I couldn't be more pleased.

"Night Of Thunder doesn't have anything to prove now. He has won a Guineas, he has won a Lockinge and he is obviously a very good horse who will make a very, very good stallion.

"He will come on for the race, our horses generally improve for a run, and it is likely we will stick to a mile with him. He will go well in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot (Group One, straight mile, Tuesday, June 16).

"Getting Godolphin and Sheikh Mohammed involved in our stable is probably the ultimate compliment.

"Night Of Thunder has gone and done the business and we are delighted."

Jono Mills of Godolphin commented: "The Queen Anne is the most logical next step for Night Of Thunder.

"We are absolutely thrilled that he has come out this year and won the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes. He was a bit unlucky in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot at the end of last year.

"He has triumphed in a great renewal of the Lockinge Stakes and I am sure he will come on for this his first outing of the season. Al Shaqab have done a great job of sponsoring the race and we are very grateful for their support."

James Doyle added: "This is just the start of Night Of Thunder's campaign; he is a big type who went to win his race, had a puff and battled it out nicely. I am delighted with him - he has got a great attitude.

"He went to the start like an old hunter - he was loose on the rein and just lobbed down - and it's great when they are like that because they save their energy for the business end and that's what he has done there.

"It's amazing and an honour to put on the Godolphin silks and ride horses like these. Hopefully, there is plenty more to come. Full credit to everyone and especially Mr Hannon, who has done a fantastic job with the horse.

"It was a solid performance. It was the first time that I have ridden Night Of Thunder in a race so I am getting to know him as well. I just thought I would have got him on the move a bit sooner - we were running out of room against rail so I thought that I would secure my pitch and he has just got tired in the closing stages.

"I felt he took a blow half a furlong out and was getting tired but he is a hardy, tough horse who has had plenty of hard battles so he is ready for them. He didn't stop and that's what I liked - he got tired but still stretched all the way to the line.

"It's a big team effort at Godolphin. With so many horses, we all have to stick close together, get your heads together and come up with plans for some of these horses. It's so far, so good and I have had a wonderful time.

"This is important. It's what you come into the game for and this is what I want, what John Ferguson wants and what His Highness Sheikh Mohammed wants. This is what all of the trainers and jockeys come into it for - days like today. There is pressure on days like this and, when it all comes together, it is a feeling of relief."