Fourth top-flight winner of 2025 for Night Of Thunder

Ombudsman storms to victory in G1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot

Night Of Thunder’s tremendous year continued in thrilling fashion on the second day of Ascot’s Royal meeting when his four-year-old son Ombudsman successfully stepped up to G1 company in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained colt was held up towards the rear under William Buick early on in the 10-furlong contest, Ombudsman enjoyed little luck in running as the field began to quicken for home, but once the daylight appeared a furlong out he quickened very impressively to win going away by two lengths.

Ombudsman made a winning debut at Newmarket almost exactly a year ago and remained unbeaten in four starts last year. His sole defeat came in last month’s Brigadier Gerard Stakes, where he was a creditable second. Co-trainer John Gosden indicated after the race that he could now head back to Sandown for the G1 Eclipse.

Bred by James Hanly, Ombudsman is out of the dual winner Syndicate (Dansili), a full sister to Group winner Runnymede. She also has a Night Of Thunder two-year-old filly, named Synchronicity.

Night Of Thunder has more G1 winners this year than any other European stallion, following the victories of Choisya and Dynamic Pricing in the US, plus his 1,000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower.

Just forty minutes after Ombudsman's victory, Blue Point colt My Cloud stormed to victory in the 30-runner Royal Hunt Cup, taking his record to four wins from six starts. A half-brother to red-hot first-season sire Palace Pier, he looks destined for Stakes company. 

In the very next race, Miss Information made it a brilliant double for Blue Point, taking the Kensington Palace Stakes, propelling her sire to the top of the leading stallion table by winners at Royal Ascot in 2025.