Night Of Thunder’s fantastic season continued on Saturday, 14 September when his brilliant son Economics landed the biggest win of his career as he held on in thrilling fashion to win the G1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, Ireland.
Trained by William Haggas for Isa Salman Al Khalifa, the chestnut colt, who was having his first start in G1 company, travelled well and began to make good headway two furlongs out. He took up the running in the last half furlong and showed great determination as he stuck his head out gamely to hold off a challenge from last year's victor, Auguste Rodin, to prevail by a neck in the ten furlong contest.
Economics remains unbeaten in four starts this year and adds a third Black Type victory to his rapidly growing c.v. He was the impressive six-length winner of the G2 Dante Stakes at York in May following a promising maiden victory at Newbury in April. He then headed to France in August where he struck in the G2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville. His next target is likely to be the Champion Stakes at Ascot next month.
Bred by Copgrove Hall Stud, Economics was a 160,000gns yearling. He is one of two winners bred out of the multiple G2-winning mare La Pomme d’Amore.
Night Of Thunder is now the sire of four Group 1 winners which include Champion sprinting filly Highfield Princess, Kukeracha and Thundering Nights.
Night Of Thunder has had a hugely successful year so far, siring 15 individual Black Type scorers. Last weekend his three-year-old son, Ombudsman, maintained his perfect record as he made it five from five when he won the G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange at ParisLongchamp, his second Black Type victory.
