Qatar Bloodstock Win G1 Sussex Stakes

The burgundy colours of Qatar Bloodstock were in the winner's circle at Warwick Farm on Wednesday aboard Zoustar colt Charge and featured overnight at Glorious Goodwood in the UK, carried to victory in the Group I Sussex Stakes by seven year-old Pivotal stallion Lightning Spear.

Six times placed at Group I level previously, the Sussex Stakes provided a well deserved first win at the elite level for the David Simcock trained stallion.

Third in the race last year, Lightning Spear forged clear to win by a length and a half for Oisin Murph taking his overall record to seven wins and eight placings from 24 starts.

"To see Lightning Spear quicken up like that is great. It's the horse we see a lot of the time at home and it's just getting it all to click and that little bit of luck we haven't had at times. Oisin had no instructions, he knows the horse and has a lot of confidence in him," said David Simcock.

David Redvers bought Lightning Spear on behalf of Qatar Racing for 260,000gns from Newsells Park's draft at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2012 and he confirmed the horse would retire to Qatar Bloodstock's Tweenhills Stud.

"He's one of the best-looking horses in racing, he's won a stallion-making race and he's by Pivotal," he said.

Lightning Spear is a half-brother to stakes-winner Ocean War and is the best of six winners from stakes-winning Royal Academy mare Atlantic Destiny

He is the 28^th Group I winner for Pivotal.