Desert Flower was a hugely impressive new G1 winner for Night Of Thunder, as she stamped her superiority when powering clear to a five and a half-length victory in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket's Future Champions Festival on Friday, 11 October. She kept her perfect record intact, extending her unbeaten record to four wins in as many starts and looks a top prospect for next year's 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Trained by Charlie Appleby, the two-year-old filly jumped well and was soon settled in third by William Buick, with two furlongs to run she picked up readily and soon took up the lead. Victory was never in doubt as she surged clear of the field in the final furlong.
Following two impressive performances on Newmarket’s July course on her first two starts, including a six and a half length win in August, Desert Flower headed to Doncaster in September where she successfully stepped up into Group company to land the G2 May Hill Stakes by a length and a half.
Owned and bred by Godolphin, Desert Flower is the second foal out of the G2-winning mare, Promising Run (Hard Spun), she is also responsible for Aablan (Dubawi) who landed the G3 Solario Stakes. Promising Run is one of nine winners out of Brazilian G1 winner, Aviacion.
Night Of Thunder is having a brilliant season. He is now the sire of five G1 winners and so far this year he has sired 15 Black Type scorers, including his brilliant three-year-old son, Economics, who remains unbeaten in four starts this year, culminating in a thrilling win in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes in September. He is likely to head to Ascot next weekend to line up in the G1 Champion Stakes.
