Lethal Force breaks his Group race duck through a familiar combination

It was entirely appropriate that Lethal Force’s first stakes winner as a stallion should come via the same two men who played the key roles in his career as a racehorse.

Now based at Cheveley Park Stud for his sixth season, the grey son of Dark Angel was an outstanding sprinter for trainer Clive Cox as he landed both the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and July Cup in 2013.

Adam Kirby rode Lethal Force throughout his career and his partnership with Cox has been maintained, meaning he was in the saddle for the victory of the speedy Golden Horde in the Group 2 Qatar Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.

View result and watch Richmond Stakes replay here

Lethal Force has not been a revelation at stud so far, with his fee now down to £4,500 from an opening £12,500, although this is only his third crop on the ground.

He has sired 75 individual winners, the vast majority of which were in Britain, but had not had a sniff of winning black type. His best son Konchek, also trained by Cox and ridden by Kirby, had finished second in last year’s Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket.

"I’m pleased for Lethal Force, it’s good for him to get a nice winner on the board and hopefully this lad will do him proud," Kirby told ITV Racing. "He’s just like dad in that he has a high cruising speed. I’m really pleased."

Golden Horde, who had won a Windsor maiden and finished fifth in the Coventry at Royal Ascot, also has a Cheveley Park connection on his distaff side.

Lethal Force claimed a Group 1 sprint double in 2013Credit: Edward Whitaker

He is out of the winning Pivotal mare Entreat, who was sold by the operation to BBA Ireland for 14,000gns at the Tattersalls July Sale three years ago.

The mare is now on a golden run, as her 2015 foal, Exhort, lowered the colours of 1,000 Guineas heroine Billesdon Brook in the Listed Pipalong Stakes at Pontefract last month.

Golden Horde, bred by CN Farm Limited and consigned by Highclere, was sold to Cox for £65,000 at last year’s Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale and a Mehmas half-brother has been entered in this year’s event.

Read more...

Classy Calyx retired and acquired by Coolmore for their stallion ranks

Cheveley Park Stakes and 1,000 Guineas heroine Natagora dies at 14

Red Armada sails away with top lot at Goffs UK Goodwood Sale