This super stallion is no longer being underestimated - he might be the best in Europe at the moment

In recent years there can't have been many better races than the 2,000 Guineas in 2014. Most were expecting the coronation of a champion in Kingman. If not, perhaps the subsequent Derby hero Australia would be the one. Maybe future Leger winner Kingston Hill was going to show himself to be a superstar, or was it going to be The Grey Gatsby, who went on to win the French Derby and Irish Champion Stakes? Nope, it was none of them.

Even his stable jockey didn't want to ride him, Richard Hughes opting instead for multiple Group winner Toormore, but along came 40-1 shot Night Of Thunder under an inspired Kieren Fallon to spoil the party. No-one fancied him that day, and compared to Kingman and Australia nobody was expecting him to come out on top in the breeding sheds either.

Not for one minute would I say Kingman is anything other that a brilliant sire, most notably with superstar milers Palace Pier and Field Of Gold, nor am I decrying the achievements of Australia, who is the sire of this year's dual Derby winner Lambourn, but rather like on that day in May 2014, Night Of Thunder is surprising everyone and I reckon he might currently be the best sire anywhere in the Europe.