Thunder Snow, the outstanding son of Darley sire Helmet added more prestige to his impressive CV on the weekend by winning the US$2 million Group 2 UAE Derby over 1900 metres following on from his Group 1 win in France last year as a two-year-old.
Thunder Snow won the UAE Derby with a late rally to overwhelm classy Japanese colt Epicharis.
The win, which was on the dirt track at Meydan, has brought about strong speculation the colt could be targeted at the Kentucky Derby in May. In international betting markets, he is among the four or five most fancied chances for the prestigious race at Churchill Downs.
No doubt, a decision on the colt's northern hemisphere targets will be made by his owner His HighnessSheikh Mohammedbin Rashid Al Maktoum, trainer Saeed Bin Suroor and the Godolphin team over coming weeks.
Interestingly, a win in the Kentucky Derby would be the first for a horse by an Australian bred sire in 64 years. The 1953 Derby was won by Dark Star, a son of the Australian bred stallion Royal Gem.
Coincidentally, Royal Gem, like Darley's Northwood Park based Helmet, also won the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.
Darley's Victorian General Manager Andy Makiv said the win is exciting for the stallion as it shows the quality he is able to produce.
"Helmet has proven very quickly through the deeds of Thunder Snow, who is from his first northern hemisphere crop, that he is capable of siring an elite horse," said Makiv.
"Here in Australia, Helmet has sired the likes of Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes winner Archives and Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview winner Limestone as well as Group performed colt Malaise, so he is showing all the signs that he has a long and successful career ahead of him as a stallion."
The Godolphin homebred Thunder Snow won on his racecourse debut last year and has raced solely in Group company ever since. He finished second in both the Group 2 Vintage and Group 2 Champagne Stakes before romping to a five-length victory in the Group 1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud last October.
The colt is one of four stakes-winning foals of Eastern Joy, a mare by Darley Stud's Group 1 Royal Ascot winner Dubai Destination.
Courtesy TBV News
