Lucullan shines in G2 Knickerbocker Stakes

Lucullan showed an excellent turn of foot to record his biggest victory to date in the G2 Knickerbocker Stakes over nine furlongs at Belmont Park, USA, on Monday, 14 October.

The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained five-year-old, who was demoted to fourth after finishing third in the G1 Woodbine Mile in September, raced wide in third of the six runners before settling in fourth after the first three furlongs.

Lucullan was shuffled back to fifth leaving the back straight but started to make good headway around runners after being asked for his effort by Luis Saez turning for home.

The Hard Spun entire produced a surging run entering the final furlong and hit the front with just over half a furlong left before galloping out strongly to score by a length over Olympico in 1m 46.87s on firm turf.

Kiaran McLaughlin said: “Lucullan is a very nice horse. He was a little unlucky not to win the Woodbine Mile – he broke slowly, had to be rushed up and then drifted late under a left-handed whip.

“He was very impressive today and finished strong. I don’t know where we will go with him next as he is lacking points for the Breeders’ Cup but we feel that he is a top-class horse. I am delighted to get a G2 win with him and hopefully he can have a big season next year."