LIGHTNING SPEAR today secured his first and very well deserved Group 1 success, in winning the Qatar Sussex Stakes over one mile at the Glorious Goodwood Festival.

Having been a consistent performer for trainer David Simcock over the last two and a half years, previously having twice won the Group 2 Goodwood Celebration Mile and been placed six times at Group 1 level, it was particularly pleasing to see this son of Pivotal (GB) win at Group 1 level for the first time.

On this occasion the race developed in a way that allowed Lightning Spear, well supported by his jockey Oisin Murphy, to show his ability and achieve his Group 1 reward.

Lightning Spear was steadied at the start and held up in midfield, he closed to track the leaders over one furlong out but had to wait patiently for a clear run. When a gap did appear, he quickened readily under pressure between rivals to lead well inside the final furlong, then ran on strongly to secure victory by one and a half lengths.