Night Of Thunder’s Zahrann books Caulfield Cup spot

The imported son of Night Of Thunder, Zahrann, delivered a statement victory ahead of Melbourne’s premier staying features, claiming the G3 Naturalism Stakes over 2,000m at Caulfield.

In what was his first win for trainer Ciaron Maher since arriving in Australia in November last year, Zahrann officially booked his spot in the Caulfield Cup, the G1 over 2,400m on October 17, with his fourth career win.

Jockey Ethan Brown rode the Ozzie Kheir-owned five-year-old off the pace and got him to the centre of the track before producing a strong finish to defeat stablemate Saint George by one length, with Asterix filling third position in a blanket finish for the placings.

“Ozzie was very upbeat when he was able to purchase him,” Maher said.

“I actually spent some time with Johnny Murtagh, who was his former trainer, when I was on holidays this year. He gave me a pretty good rundown of him.

“They're (imports) always better in their second preparation and he's going to get into the Cup on a beautiful weight.”

Zahrann, who was bred by the Aga Khan, was already a Group 3 winner in Ireland, having won the Royal Whip Stakes at The Curragh in August last year. He also won an earlier Listed race at Leopardstown.

He is out of the Azamour mare Zannda, who was also a multiple Stakes winner herself.

Night Of Thunder has 95 stakes winners across the world, with Zahrann becoming his 10th in Australia. Standing at Kildangan Stud, having spent a year in Australia earlier in his career, he has recorded five individual G1 winners in 2026 including the unbeaten Bow Echo and star older horse Ombudsman.