Night Of Thunder, currently leading sire in Britain and Ireland, continued his outstanding season on Thursday 25 September when his son Distant Storm romped to an almost five-length victory in the G3 Somerville Tattersall Stakes at HQ.
Settling nicely behind the early pace under William Buick, the Godolphin colt was always travelling well and began to make headway with a furlong left to run. Taking the lead, he quickened superbly close to home, moving further and further clear of his rivals to eventually win by four and three-quarter lengths.
Commander’s Intent (Victor Ludorum) and Archer Royal (Blue Point) finished second and third respectively to complete the Darley-sired trifecta.
Distant Storm won on his debut at Newmarket’s July course and finished third in the Acomb last time out, having raced too keenly. His trainer Charlie Appleby indicated after the race that he could now target the G1 Darley Dewhurst in just over two weeks’ time.
A €1.9 million breeze up purchase for Godolphin, Distant Storm was bred by Newsells Park Stud. He is out of Date With Destiny (George Washington), whose Group-winning daughter Beautiful Morning has already enjoyed success with Night Of Thunder via G3 Prix de Psyche and Listed Pretty Polly second Life Is Beautiful.
Night Of Thunder is enjoying a truly outstanding year, siring the world’s highest rated older horse Ombudsman (winner of the G1 Juddmonte and G1 Prince Of Wales’s), 1,000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower, plus two further top-flight winners.
