Night Of Thunder retired to stud

Last year’s Qipco 2000 Guineas winner, Night Of Thunder, has been retired to stud.

The Richard Hannon trained four-year-old impressed greatly when he defeated Kingman and Australia into second and third place respectively with a half-length success at Newmarket last spring.

He subsequently won the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on his reappearance back in May, but then finished unplaced behind Solow in both the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot and the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

As a result connections have decided the time is right to bring an end to his racing career.

Hannon told www.godolphin.com: “He was the perfect package. He had that fantastic blend of speed and determination.

“He was sharp enough to win his only two starts as a juvenile, yet he had the class and finishing power to beat one of the strongest Guineas fields of the past 20 years.

“Then he trained on at four and won the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, fighting off all challengers with tremendous courage.

“I look forward to seeing his first foals when they arrive. Being by Dubawi out of a Galileo mare, he has plenty going for him in his new role as a stallion. He is perfect for the job.”