That's my boy! Victory for Golden Horde sparks memories of Lethal Force

Golden Horde drew just about as favourable a comparison as there could be after his Richmond Stakes victory with his trainer and jockey describing him as a proper chip off the old block.

The old block in question is Lethal Force, the buccaneering sprinter who captured the Diamond Jubilee and July Cup, in track record time, for Clive Cox and Adam Kirby during the summer of 2013.

He was adored by the pair not only for the scale of his victories but for the manner in which he won his races – from the front in no-prisoners-taken style. So for them to say his son Golden Horde had more than the odd echo of his father was a notable statement.

"Adam said he was just like his father as he went through that race and he felt like he wasn’t going very fast even though he was,” Cox said.

"He's a lovely horse and is getting better all the time. Even in his work he’s only just getting going and saddling him here was the first time I thought I had him where I really wanted him. He’s clearly very talented."

Golden Horde bounced out into a prominent position under Kirby and led past halfway when favourite Threat, who had beaten Cox's runner when they were second and fifth behind Arizona in the Coventry Stakes, threw down his challenge.

The duo slugged it out through the final furlong as they pulled away from their rivals but Threat was never quite able to get on terms, with Golden Horde triumphing by three-quarters of a length.

"I'm really pleased for him and obviously I'm pleased for Lethal Force as well," Kirby said. "It's good for him to get a nice winner on the board and hopefully this lad will do him proud.

"I didn't feel like I was going that quick on him. He's just like his dad in that respect where he has a high cruising speed and lengthens really well."

Golden Horde, who was given quotes of 16-1 by Betfair and Paddy Power for the 2020 Commonwealth Cup, provided his Bahraini owners Al Mohamediya Racing with their biggest success to date, and Cox is eyeing more big juvenile prizes before the end of the year.

Golden Horde beats Threat in the Richmond StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I'm delighted for his owner Sheikh Sultan as he has a few horses with me,” Cox said. "We'll see how Golden Horde is before making a decision, but he’s in the Gimcrack and the Prix Morny. We had to improve to beat Threat, but we have, which is really encouraging, and he looks the type to keep improving."

Cheveley Park Stud, the owners of runner-up Threat, may have had a wry smile on their faces with Lethal Force among their stallions and Entreat, the dam of Golden Horde, having raced for them before being sold three years ago.

Trainer Richard Hannon offered no excuses for his runner, and said: "He was coming to win but didn't win. The winner is obviously very nice and Threat is a very good horse. I haven’t lost confidence in him or lessened my admiration for him, but I had hoped he would win there.”

Harrison added: "He is always going to be a better three-year-old, and I always hoped he was going to be a Guineas horse."

Did you know you can bet via the Racing Post mobile app/website? Simply sign in with your favourite bookmaker via the Accounts button and then bet direct from our racecards