breednet.com.au

Lightning Spear doubles up in Celebration Mile

Darryl Sherer - Sunday August 27

Cox Plate nominated Lightning Spear landed Saturday's Group II Celebration Mile for the second time at Goodwood but would appear to be an unlikely traveller to Australia.

Lightning Spear winning the 2016 Celebration Mile. Photo: Goodwood Racecourse

Oisin Murphy delivered the David Simcock-trained Lightning Spear (Evens fav) halfway up the straight and five-year-old entire quickened up to defeat Zonderland (9/2) by a nose.

The pair finished first and second in the race in 2016.

David Redvers, racing manager to Sheikh Fahad's Qatar Racing operation, told the Sporting Life Lightning Spear has targets closer to home rather than Moonee Valley.

"We sponsor the race at Ascot (QEII), but I imagine the Foret (at Chantilly) is a strong possibility," Redvers said.

"I believe he has a Group One in him and we've always believed he has."

The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is over one mile at Ascot on October 21 while the Prix de la Foret (1400m) is on October 1.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.