3 minute read
Colt hands Lethal Force his first Group 1 winner
Lethal Force (Dark Angel) gave Clive Cox and Adam Kirby one of the biggest days of their career when he landed the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Gr 1,6f) in 2013 and on Friday his son Golden Horde (3 c ex Entreat by Pivotal) handed the pair another memorable success in the Commonwealth Cup (Gr 1, 6f), becoming the first Group 1 winner for the stallion.
Always travelling well, the son of Lethal Force held a clear advantage a furlong from home and was never threatened as he scored by a length and a half from American raider Kimari (Munnings) in third.
The Clive Cox-trained colt was unlucky not to land a top-flight race as a two-year-old finishing behind the hugely talented Earthlight (Shamardal) in both the Prix Morny (Gr 1, 1200m) (when third) and Middle Park Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) (when second) and Cox could not hide his delight on Friday.
“Golden Horde was Group 1 placed twice last year and was great in [winning] the Richmond Stakes,” said Cox. “We always believed this year he would be able to take a step up physically. He was a big horse last year, but he has really grown into that frame this year.
“I am very proud of him. We have got a great team at home and to win a Group 1 first time out with any horse is difficult, but given the way things are this year, it’s the same for a lot of people, but I am really proud. He is a horse to go forward with – I really hope and pray he has got a longer journey to go ahead of him.
“Golden Horde is just top-class. He has got a lovely temperament, is great to deal with and that ability to go on any type of ground is very special as well.
“He is out of a Pivotal mare [Entreat] by Lethal Force who we enjoyed such a wonderful day with when winning the Diamond Jubilee in 2013 – it is very special.
“We always trained him last year with the knowledge that with the right sort of behaviour he would be a better horse this year as well. It is just fantastic when it goes right and when dreams are realised.
“He would have had a penalty if he had run up at Newcastle in the Pavilion Stakes. We didn’t see the point of giving him a harder time than needs be. Martin Berry rides him at home, he is my head lad at home.
“We had an away day at Kempton with him. Jerry McGrath, who rides out for me in the summer, had a sit on him.
“When we took the rugs off him today, I was delighted with what I saw and I am pleased the performance has backed that up.
“The great thing about Lethal Force was he kept progressing with age. He was a better four-year-old than he was three-year-old. There is always that hope when you know they’ve got that ability and the size and stature to carry it out.
“Adam is rock solid and we have enjoyed lots of good days here, this really takes the biscuit. I am really pleased for Sheikh Sultan. It’s shame there are no owners here, but I am really grateful for his support.”
Asked about the July Cup (Gr 1, 6f) at Newmarket on July 11 as a logical target for Golden Horde, Cox replied: “I would like to think so. That was very much on our minds. He has done the job really well today and I would like to think that would put a real edge on him having a race. I think mentally with these sprinters to have a race is important.
“I think with the knowledge that you have a good horse, and when they do so succeed as you hope they do, it is like watching your own children, so that is why I’m proud of him.”
Purchased by his trainer for £65,000 at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale, Golden Horde is one of four winners out of Pivotal (Polar Falcon) mare Entreat, making him a half-brother to Listed scorer Exhort (Dutch Art). Entreat herself is half-sister to five-time stakes victor Producer (Dutch Art).
Golden Horde’s third dam, Imaging (Northfields), is also responsible for multiple Grade 1 winner Serena’s Song (Rahy) who herself produced Coronation Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) victor Sophisticat (Storm Cat).
Further back, this is also the family of Swettenham Stud stallion Puissance De Lune (Shamardal).
Lethal Force, who was also trained by Cox and won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) and July Cup (Gr 1, 6f) in 2013 stood at Haras de Grandcamp in France for a fee of €6,000 in 2020.
Golden Horde wins the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup! #RoyalAscot @Ascot pic.twitter.com/I7tAOmq0OM
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 19, 2020
