Group One Glory At Last For Pivotal’s Lightning Spear In the Sussex

[Wandering Eyes]

   Third in the mud in last year’s G1 Qatar Sussex S., Qatar Racing’s Lightning Spear (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) showed that patience is a virtue as he finally gained an elusive Group 1 success in Wednesday’s centrepiece of the Goodwood festival his owners proudly sponsor. Runner-up in the G1 Lockinge S. at Newbury May 19 and third in the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot June 19, the 9-1 shot was firmly in command of the Classic generation here as he remarkably became the second consecutive 7-year-old to win this after Here Comes When (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) in 2017. Lack of pace was an issue and meant that the 7-4 favourite Without Parole (GB) (Frankel {GB}) had to make it from the outset, but Oisin Murphy was always happy in behind the leading trio and all he needed was a gap as Expert Eye (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) asserted himself with a furlong remaining. As soon as he had enough daylight, Lightning Spear seized the initiative and the lead 75 yards out and surged on to a 1 1/2-length success from the Juddmonte homebred, with the Queen Anne runner-up Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) snatching third late, a half length away. “He’s a dream horse to ride and a lovely character,” trainer David Simcock’s wife Jennie commented. “He’s deserved it.”

LIGHTNING SPEAR (GB), 134, h, 7, by Pivotal (GB)
1st Dam: Atlantic Destiny (Ire) (MSW-US & SW-Eng, $220,899), by Royal Academy
2nd Dam: Respectfully, by The Minstrel
3rd Dam: Treat Me Nobly, by Vaguely Noble (Ire)
(260,000gns Ylg ’12 TAOCT). O-Qatar Racing Ltd; B-Newsells Park Stud (GB); T-David Simcock; J-Oisin Murphy. £593,392. Lifetime Record: Hwt. Older Horse-Eng at 7-9.5f & GSP-Ire, 24-7-3-5, £1,358,433. *1/2 to Ocean War (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), SW-Eng; Seaway (GB) (Dr Fong), SP-Eng; and First Destinity (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}), SP-Fr.

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