Divine Knight Repays Owners Patience With Debut Win

With authority and poise, DIVINE KNIGHT announced himself to the racing world at Thirsk, cruising to victory in the Racing TV Club EBF Novice Stakes over 7 furlongs. Trained by Sean Woods and ridden by the Daniel Tudhope, the Night of Thunder gelding overcame a slow break to dominate the field of ten and cross the line first in 1m 43.48s.

Having broken slightly slow from the stalls, DIVINE KNIGHT found himself towards the rear, but produced a strong wide bid from 4f out, moved to challenge over 2f, took up the running entering the final furlong, before keeping on well to fend off the fast-finishing FIRST PRINCIPLE by half a length.

It was an incredibly professional debut for the 4yo, who had struggled with soundness during his juvenile training, but the owners were duly rewarded for their patience on his belated debut.

He is bred impeccably and the 1 Mile trip looks optimal for him at this stage, therefore we feel the natural step for him will be the Listed Sky Bet Pomfret Stakes at Pontefract on the 27th July. 

Congratulations to all of our wonderful connections. 

Timeform Review:

Time: 1m 43.48s Closing Sectional: (3f): 33.45s (116.2%)

DIVINE KNIGHT (IRE) (80,000F, €100,000Y, €270,000 2-y-o: by Night Of Thunder: first foal: dam unraced half-sister to smart winner up to 10.2f (stayed 16.5f) Thunderous (by Night of Thunder) out of useful 9f-11f winner Souviens Toi) made plenty of appeal on paper, his sales price having risen appreciably at 2 yrs, and looked potentially useful as he took the scalp of a previous winner first time up; in touch, came wide home turn, loomed up over 2f out, upsides soon after, edged ahead over 1f out, kept on; is quite a late starter and knew what was required of him, but there should be better to come, including over further.