Night Of Thunder’s Gewan Wins The Acomb, Qualifies For The Breeders’ Cup

[Wandering Eyes]

Emulating Andrew Balding's former star Chaldean on Wednesday, Al Rabban Racing's Gewan (Night Of Thunder) came from the same Newbury novice to capture York's G3 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes, an automatic qualifier for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. Always prominent under P J McDonald throughout the seven-furlong contest, the 11-2 shot saw off Ballydoyle's Italy (Wootton Bassett) to score by 1 1/2 lengths, with 3 1/4 lengths back to the disappointing 11-20 favourite Distant Storm (Night Of Thunder) in third.

“He was very well bought by Billy Jackson, as he wasn't expensive for a Night Of Thunder,” Balding said of the €80,000 Arqana May Breeze-Up graduate. “He's done everything right since he came in and we've always liked him. PJ was quite taken by his attitude and said he had a little bit more left. I think he'll stay a mile next year, but he'll stay at seven this.”

Aidan O'Brien was far from downcast after the defeat of the yard's TDN Rising Star Italy. “He ran very well–he's a lovely big horse and he jumped a bit slow and was a length or two further back than Ryan wanted to and he had to expose him early,” he said. “He will progress. The Futurity and National were the plan.”

Gewan (Night Of Thunder) fends off Italy and remains unbeaten in the £165,000 @Tattersalls1766 Acomb Stakes! @yorkracecourse @AndrewBalding2 pic.twitter.com/6fqsdQZkAY

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 20, 2025

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