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.

Advertisement
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...
Vinery Magic Draft a One Stop Shop
A proven nursery of G1 winning juveniles and also home to one of the hottest young sires in the country in Ole Kirk, Vinery Stud will present a draft at Magic Millions that is a one stop shop for stallion syndicates, racehorse syndicators and everyone in between.
Blue Flame Lights Up Magic Millions Off the Track Cup
With $100,000 in prizemoney on the line, the Queensland Off-The-Track Cup Final at the Magic Millions Showjumping and Polo Spectacular on Sunday delivered a brilliant display of retrained Thoroughbreds stepping into exciting second careers beyond racing.
G1 Potential for $3million Sunlight Winner Grafterburners
Group 1 targets await emerging sprinter Grafterburners after a brilliant win in Saturday night’s $3 million TAB Magic Millions Sunlight (1100m) at the Gold Coast.
Ammirati Wins Listed Gingernuts - Full Brother in K1
An unusual plan paid big dividends for the connections of Ammirati when the big gelding confirmed New Zealand Derby plans with a dominant victory in the Listed Trackside Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie on Sunday.
Sires With Winners - Sunday January 11
Here is the full list of 56 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Veteran Speedster Acromantula Back to Best - Half-Brother Perth MM
Veteran sprinter Acromantula turned back the clock with a display of low level flying to record an unexpected victory in the Listed Miss Andretti Stakes at Ascot.
Winning Debut for Expensive Almanzor - Karaka Million Next
The highest priced yearling by Cambridge Stud's in form sire Almanzor (Fr) sold in 2025, Stromlinien made a winning debut on Sunday and has a half-brother to be offered at Karaka Book 1.
Sires With Winners - Saturday January 10
Here is the full list of 79 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Inglis Quinella in $3million Sunlight Slot Race
Exciting colt Grafterburners (Graff) emerged as a potential superstar with a slashing victory in $3m Magic Millions Sunlight (1100m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday night.
$20,000 Yearling Yellow Brick Becomes $3.5million Earner!
A new chapter in the Yellow Brick fairytale was written at the Gold Coast on Saturday night when Tony and Maddy Sears’ pin-up galloper showed his trademark heart to win the $1.5 million Racing Queensland Magic Millions QTIS Open (1300m).