Lancaster Bomber took the lead early in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) at the Curragh and never looked back as he posted a two length victory over stablemate Cliffs of Moher.
In doing so, the War Front colt, who was ridden to victory by jockey Seamus Heffernan, gave trainer Aidan O’Brien a record seventh win in the race.
“He’s been running at the top level all the time,” O’Brien said. “We didn’t think he’d get a mile and a quarter the first time we did it with him, but it was beautiful ground, we let him roll, and Seamus gave him a great ride. He kept going, so we’re delighted. The Curragh is a tough place to get a mile and a quarter, and he didn’t flinch—he kept going.”
Making Lancaster Bomber’s victory even more impressive is the fact he finished third in the Lockinge Stakes (G1) at Newbury in England just the week before.
Although the Gold Cup was his first Group/Grade 1 score, the Coolmore runner has been consistent at the top level for years, finishing second in such races as the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), Woodbine Mile (G1), St James’s Palace Stakes (G1), and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1).
Lancaster Bomber was bred in Kentucky out of the Indian Ridge mare Sun Shower, who is also the dam of millionaire and sire Excelebration.
While Lancaster Bomber led the charge, War Front was also represented over the weekend by the likes of U S Navy Flag, who was second in the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas (G1); Could It Be Love, who was second in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas (G1); Spirit of Valor, who was second in the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes (G2); and Compelled, who was third in the Monrovia Stakes (G2).
War Front is the leading sire in North America this year by percentage of stakes horses and graded stakes horses. In addition to Lancaster Bomber, his other graded stakes winners include Lull and Fire Away. He stands at Claiborne for $250,000.