Lightning strikes at Goodwood for Newsells Park Stud with Lightning Spear landing the Gr.1 Sussex Stakes, a well deserved Gr.1 victory for this incredibly tenacious and consistent top class horse.

Beaten a short head in the Gr.1 Lockinge in May for trainer David Simcock and owner Qatar Racing it was emotional win for Lightning Spear and all his connections.

“He’s done very little wrong apart from winning a Group 1,” said trainer David Simcock, who had looked shattered after Lightning Spear’s defeat at Newbury. “Just to see him fill up like that and quicken, that’s the horse we see at home an awful lot, and it was just fantastic. We felt slightly robbed at Newbury and this more than makes up for it.  It’s great for Sheikh Fahad, the Qatar team and the yard but I’m more pleased for the horse than anyone. He deserves that.”

Bred and consigned by Newsells Park Stud, other success at Group level by this son of Pivotal includes winning the Gr.2 Celebration Mile Stakes twice and finishing second twice in the Gr.1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes.

Lightning Spear is out of Atlantic Destiny (Royal Academy), also the dam of Stakes horses Ocean War, First Destinity and Seaway.

“Whatever happens he will go to stud at the end of the year,” said David Redvers, racing and breeding adviser for owners Qatar Racing.

“He’s by Pivotal, who is turning into a supreme sire of sires. You’d have to think that before that he might end up at a Breeders’ Cup. “There’s plenty of season left for him and plenty of races left for him, but all that matters as far as I’m concerned is that he’s won his Group 1 and won it in style.”

Lightning Spear is the third Gr.1 winner of 2018 that was foaled and raised at Newsells Park Stud.