Two-time Dubai WC winner Thunder Snow sires first winner
Thursday, 22 June, 2023 17:06
Thunder Snow (left) in G1 Dubai World Cup of 2018 (Photo by: Masakazu Takahashi)
The 5th race at NAR Monbetsu Racecourse on the 21st June produced a notable result for international racing fans. In the JRA-certified Fresh Challenge (Debutant Race), the 4th favourite, two-year-old colt Snow Clover came home in front. His victory marked a first winner for Snow Clover's sire, Thunder Snow.
Thunder Snow is a UK-bred horse by Helmet and out of Eastern Joy, by Dubai Destination. During his racing career, he was trained by Saeed bin Suroor, who has stables for Godolphin in Dubai and England.
He made his debut in May 2016 in England and achieved his first Graded race and G1 victory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Saint-Cloud in October of the same year. Although he had never had an experience on dirt, he was registered for the US Triple Crown races and won the UAE 2000 Guineas and UAE Derby. He also competed in the Kentucky Derby but was pulled up.
After returning to Europe, he showcased his presence on turf again, and he won the G1 Criterium International. After turning four he fully transitioned to the dirt circuit and made history by winning the G1 Dubai World Cup in 2018 and 2019, becoming the first horse to achieve consecutive victories in the race. He was scheduled to compete in the US G1 Whitney Stakes in 2019, but was withdrawn. Ultimately, his last race was the US G1 Metropolitan Handicap in June of the same year. In total, he had 24 starts with eight wins, including seven Graded races and four G1 victories.
After retiring, he entered stud at Darley Japan Stallion Complex. He gained popularity with 436 broodmares bred to him in just three years, and his progeny are expected to excel on both turf and dirt surfaces.
Thunder Snow is a UK-bred horse by Helmet and out of Eastern Joy, by Dubai Destination. During his racing career, he was trained by Saeed bin Suroor, who has stables for Godolphin in Dubai and England.
He made his debut in May 2016 in England and achieved his first Graded race and G1 victory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Saint-Cloud in October of the same year. Although he had never had an experience on dirt, he was registered for the US Triple Crown races and won the UAE 2000 Guineas and UAE Derby. He also competed in the Kentucky Derby but was pulled up.
After returning to Europe, he showcased his presence on turf again, and he won the G1 Criterium International. After turning four he fully transitioned to the dirt circuit and made history by winning the G1 Dubai World Cup in 2018 and 2019, becoming the first horse to achieve consecutive victories in the race. He was scheduled to compete in the US G1 Whitney Stakes in 2019, but was withdrawn. Ultimately, his last race was the US G1 Metropolitan Handicap in June of the same year. In total, he had 24 starts with eight wins, including seven Graded races and four G1 victories.
After retiring, he entered stud at Darley Japan Stallion Complex. He gained popularity with 436 broodmares bred to him in just three years, and his progeny are expected to excel on both turf and dirt surfaces.