Shadow Of Light Horse Crowned European Champion Two-Year-Old

The Shadow of Light horse had a perfect start to his career making an impressive debut at Yarmouth in July, winning a maiden race. He followed up with another win in a novice event at Newmarket the following month, showcasing his potential. His first major challenge came in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York, where he finished second to Cool Hoof Luke. This close result served as a valuable learning experience, and the colt quickly responded with a dominant performance in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

In the Middle Park, Shadow Of Light horse was clearly the standout performer, winning by four lengths and becoming only the second horse in over 40 years to secure the Middle Park-Dewhurst double. The success mirrored that of his older brother, Earthlight, who had won the same race five years earlier.

The Dewhurst win, however, was far from straightforward. Shadow Of Light horse was pushed to his limits by Aidan O’Brien’s Expanded, but the colt held on to claim a narrow victory, cementing his position as the Champion Two-Year-Old of 2024.

Moreover, Shadow Of Light Horse’s Season is eminent in his career and one of the best of all time. He is among the three horses that won the Middle Park and Dewhurst within the same season, stepping into the group of Diesis (1982) and Zafonic” (1992). His victory earned him a rating of 120, edging out other top horses in what was one of the most competitive European Champion Two-Year-Old seasons in recent memory.

Graeme Smith, the British Horse racing Authority’s Handicapping Team Leader, commented on the exceptional nature of this year’s Two-Year-Old Classification. “What’s notable about this year’s classification is the depth of competition at the top horse. There are eight horses rated between 117 and 120, which sets the stage for an exciting classic season ahead.”

While Shadow Of Light horse took the top spot, the battle for second place was just as fierce. Lake Victoria, trained by Aidan O’Brien, achieved a rating of 119, which is a very impressive accomplishment. She had an astonishing season, winning 3 classic Group 1 races in as many new places: the Moyglare Test in Ireland, the Cheveley Park Test in Britain, and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in the USA.

IHRB Handicapper Mark Bird praised Lake Victoria for her versatility and consistency. “Lake Victoria made history by becoming the only Champion Filly in the history of the

Classifications to win three Group/Grade 1 races at the age of two. Her victories at distances ranging from six furlongs to a mile, in three different countries, set her apart as one of the season’s top horse performers.”

O’Brien’s filly ranks now among the best Two-Year-Old Fillies from Ireland in recent years, second only to Minding in the history of the classification. Her ability to win across diverse conditions and countries makes her one of the top contenders for the 2025 season.

The 2024 European Champion Two-Year-Old classification highlights the intense competition among the top horse. With Shadow Of Light horse leading the charge with a rating of 120, and several other horses close behind, the 2025 classic season promises to be a highly anticipated one. The top eight horses are all rated between 117 and 120, suggesting an exciting year ahead for European Champion racing.

The strong background of the two deserves credit for the excellence of both Thin Porcupines and North Africa, because of their stables, Godolphin and Ballydoyle, who are the yardstick of the 3yo flat season. The fans of racing and also the industry professionals are both likely to watch these top two-year-olds as they compete in the upcoming classics.

In 2024, Shadow Of Light horse was chosen as the European Champion Two- Year-Old and now his team is directing their attention to the next part of his career. Shadow Of Light horse, a horse owned by Godolphin and trained by Charlie Appleby, has shown in practice that he is one of the most vibrant young horses competing in the category. Thus, his being recognized as the European Champion Two-Year-Old of 2024. Meanwhile, Lake Victoria’s impressive international successes make her one of the standout fillies of her generation.

Both horses are now in the fore of the 2025 classics tournament, hoping to bring home the bacon and the thoroughbred lovers will be there enjoying the races. In a highly competitive young horse field, the upcoming season will be one of the most exciting in recent memory.

The Shadow of Light horse had a perfect start to his career making an impressive debut at Yarmouth in July, winning a maiden race. He followed up with another win in a novice event at Newmarket the following month, showcasing his potential. His first major challenge came in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York, where he finished second to Cool Hoof Luke. This close result served as a valuable learning experience, and the colt quickly responded with a dominant performance in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

In the Middle Park, Shadow Of Light horse was clearly the standout performer, winning by four lengths and becoming only the second horse in over 40 years to secure the Middle Park-Dewhurst double. The success mirrored that of his older brother, Earthlight, who had won the same race five years earlier.

The Dewhurst win, however, was far from straightforward. Shadow Of Light horse was pushed to his limits by Aidan O’Brien’s Expanded, but the colt held on to claim a narrow victory, cementing his position as the Champion Two-Year-Old of 2024.

Moreover, Shadow Of Light Horse’s Season is eminent in his career and one of the best of all time. He is among the three horses that won the Middle Park and Dewhurst within the same season, stepping into the group of Diesis (1982) and Zafonic” (1992). His victory earned him a rating of 120, edging out other top horses in what was one of the most competitive European Champion Two-Year-Old seasons in recent memory.

Graeme Smith, the British Horse racing Authority’s Handicapping Team Leader, commented on the exceptional nature of this year’s Two-Year-Old Classification. “What’s notable about this year’s classification is the depth of competition at the top horse. There are eight horses rated between 117 and 120, which sets the stage for an exciting classic season ahead.”

While Shadow Of Light horse took the top spot, the battle for second place was just as fierce. Lake Victoria, trained by Aidan O’Brien, achieved a rating of 119, which is a very impressive accomplishment. She had an astonishing season, winning 3 classic Group 1 races in as many new places: the Moyglare Test in Ireland, the Cheveley Park Test in Britain, and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in the USA.

IHRB Handicapper Mark Bird praised Lake Victoria for her versatility and consistency. “Lake Victoria made history by becoming the only Champion Filly in the history of the

Classifications to win three Group/Grade 1 races at the age of two. Her victories at distances ranging from six furlongs to a mile, in three different countries, set her apart as one of the season’s top horse performers.”

O’Brien’s filly ranks now among the best Two-Year-Old Fillies from Ireland in recent years, second only to Minding in the history of the classification. Her ability to win across diverse conditions and countries makes her one of the top contenders for the 2025 season.

The 2024 European Champion Two-Year-Old classification highlights the intense competition among the top horse. With Shadow Of Light horse leading the charge with a rating of 120, and several other horses close behind, the 2025 classic season promises to be a highly anticipated one. The top eight horses are all rated between 117 and 120, suggesting an exciting year ahead for European Champion racing.

The strong background of the two deserves credit for the excellence of both Thin Porcupines and North Africa, because of their stables, Godolphin and Ballydoyle, who are the yardstick of the 3yo flat season. The fans of racing and also the industry professionals are both likely to watch these top two-year-olds as they compete in the upcoming classics.

In 2024, Shadow Of Light horse was chosen as the European Champion Two- Year-Old and now his team is directing their attention to the next part of his career. Shadow Of Light horse, a horse owned by Godolphin and trained by Charlie Appleby, has shown in practice that he is one of the most vibrant young horses competing in the category. Thus, his being recognized as the European Champion Two-Year-Old of 2024. Meanwhile, Lake Victoria’s impressive international successes make her one of the standout fillies of her generation.

Both horses are now in the fore of the 2025 classics tournament, hoping to bring home the bacon and the thoroughbred lovers will be there enjoying the races. In a highly competitive young horse field, the upcoming season will be one of the most exciting in recent memory.