Thundering On

Shapoor Mistry's Thundering On (Frankel) has been rated 124 by Timeform for her G1 Betfred Oaks victory on Friday. The rating is on par with 2004 Oaks heroine Ouija Board (Cape Cross), with only Enable (Nathaniel) and Sariska (Pivotal)--both rated 125--rated higher this century. Timeform's Rory King, said, "We're in a high-class era of middle-distance horses in Europe, and Thundering On has put herself on the fringes of the top echelon of them with her really impressive success in the Betfred Oaks. "It's possible to pick holes in the form,...

Shapoor Mistry is no newcomer to breeding. He's been at the game for 40 years in his native India where he owns Manjri Farm and has won his home Derby on several occasions. But he described winning the Betfred Oaks with his homebred Thundering On as being "like a dream come true".  He said, "It's tough to win big races anywhere in the world and especially tough in England." That may be but Thundering On really didn't make it look tough at all as she motored down the home straight...

Unless Thundering On can oblige for Joseph O'Brien, or perhaps Venetian Lace for Charlie Johnston, then there will be a familar name on the trophy for the 2026 Betfred Oaks, with three trainers who each have previous in the Epsom Classic being responsible for the remaining seven runners between them. Aidan O'Brien is triple-handed in his quest for a remarkable 12th Oaks victory, likewise Ralph Beckett, who struck first with Look Here in 2008 and then Talent in 2013. More recently, O'Brien and the Gosdens have dominated, with all but...

With just six horses in training in Europe, Shapoor Mistry operates on a scale that is dwarfed by the powerhouse operations - but it has proved no barrier to success for the Indian native who, off the back of a dream fortnight stacked full of important winners, could enjoy his greatest success yet when homebred Thundering On (Frankel) lines up in the Betfred Oaks.  Bloodstock agent Anthony Stroud has played a massive role in Mistry's excellent run of form. Recent juvenile winners Havana Lightning and Shimmering Sun, along with Group...

Tuesday, Curragh, post time: 15:17, STAFFORDSTOWN STUD STAKES-G3, €36,000, 2yo, f, 8fT Field: Cameo (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Caught U Sleeping (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), Ice Dancer (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Ifweonlyhavelove (Fr) (Recoletos {Fr}), La Fogata (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Stars Will Shine (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Sugar Island (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Thundering On (GB) (Frankel {GB}). TDN Analysis: Without the customary Ballydoyle standout, this is wide-open and could go to one of the unexposed maiden winners. Stars Will Shine impressed at Down Royal and may have more upside than stablemate...