Search
where the horse is always the hero
Article Item
Posted 2010-08-20 22:27:12  
SOLE POWER SHOCKS STARSPANGLEDBANNER

 Near silence descended upon York as 100-1 shot Sole Power caused one of the biggest surprises in Group One history by winning the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes.

Not even trainer Eddie Lynam or his jockey Wayne Lordan were expecting much from the three-year-old, who only had two all-weather victories at Dundalk to his name and had finished fifth in a Listed race at Tipperary just two weeks earlier.

But somehow he defied the form book and the betting by beating the apparently invincible 6-4 favourite Golden Jubilee and July Cup winner Starspangledbanner by a length and a quarter.

The theme of upsets was continued into the minor placings with another 100-1 shot, Piccadilly Filly, managing to snatch third while the second best in the market, Equiano, was a huge disappointment and came home last.

Lynam said: "I suppose that is the same price as I am to train a Group One winner! The last time I trained one, someone woke me up! We were hopeful, but we didn't think he would win, and if he had finished fourth we would have been pleased.

"He can be very keen and he needs a big field to get him to settle. He's been disappointing since the Palace House in the spring, but they go too slow for him in the sprints in Ireland. He broke the track record at Dundalk.

"He will have an entry for the Prix de l'Abbaye. If the sun shines in Paris we'll be there but if it is typical soft French ground he'll miss it. We love York and hopefully we can run in this race for many years to come."

It was also a first Group One for Lordan, who was more than compensated for having to miss the winning ride in Wednesday's totesport Ebor on Dirar due to his commitments with Tommy Stack.

He said: "I didn't think I had much of a chance as it's hard for a three-year-old against older horses, but they went very quick and he's picked up.

"He ran well at Newmarket earlier in the year and I thought he might be a horse who might take his chance next year. I hoped I'd finish somewhere in the middle, but it's worked out much much better than that."

Rate:
Email link to a friend | Printable Version
  • Britain
    Displaying 10 ResultsSee All
    lloyd’s royal ascot build-up and durban july ambition carries family significance20 hours ago

    Zac Lloyd’s pursuit of the Durban July carries an added layer of significance. The son of form...

    View | Add Comment
    time capsule discovery adds extraordinary twist to derby winner's story2 days ago

    Horse racing thrives on coincidence, superstition and stories passed down through generations. Every...

    View | Add Comment
    bay city roller dominates coronation cup as soft ground reshapes the narrative at epsom2 days ago

    The 2026 Group One Coolmore Coronation Cup, run for a record £1 million in prize money, arrive...

    View | Add Comment
    christmas day powers to epsom derby glory as aidan o’brien lands record-extending 12th win2 days ago

    Christmas Day delivered Aidan O’Brien another Epsom Derby success, producing a decisive late s...

    View | Add Comment
    thundering on gives shapoor mistry a landmark day at epsom for india 3 days ago

    For Indian racing, Friday's Betfred Oaks at Epsom delivered something beyond a routine international...

    View | Add Comment
    thundering on hands mcmonagle a first british classic3 days ago

    Dylan Browne McMonagle announced himself on the British Classic stage in emphatic fashion at Epsom o...

    View | Add Comment
    benvenuto cellini - derby winner in waiting? 3 days ago

    The Betfred Derby at Epsom on Saturday carries a first prize of £1,000,000, with the race sche...

    View | Add Comment
    epsom oaks: moore holds the key 4 days ago

    Ryan Moore holds the key to the 2026 Epsom Oaks market, and his mount choice may well render the rac...

    View | Add Comment
    royal presence maintains derby tradition at epsom2026-05-29

    The Derby has long carried a close association with the British Royal Family, and that connectio...

    View | Add Comment
    tony ives, last apprentice to place in derby, dies at 712026-05-26

    Tony Ives, one of the most recognisable jockeys of his generation and the last apprentice rider to p...

    View | Add Comment