No Nay Never Colt Maintains Perfect Record

Group 1 Middle Park Stakes entry Ventura Lightning (2c No Nay Never - From This Day, by El Prado) made it two from two when taking the six furlong conditions stakes at Ripon.

Saturday saw the Richard Fahey-trained colt sent off favourite as he stepped up to six furlongs and raced on soft ground for the first time. The grey raced prominently under Tony Hamilton and produced a challenge passing the two furlong marker. Leading approaching the final furlong, he ran on when challenged by Eton College to win by a length and three quarters.

Tom Palin, racing manager of owners Middleham Park Racing, said after the race, “There's a bit of pressure with the most expensive Middleham Park purchase ever but Ventura Lightning has done it perfectly. He's in the Middleham Park Stakes and Tony Hamilton said that six furlongs is probably his trip. He's got a bit of an enthusiastic brain so we'd like to try and educate him again and we'll look for something Listed or Group 3 before we look at going up to that.”

Ventura Lightning was purchased at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale for €165,000 from Bansha House Stables. Bred by Snowdrop Stud Corporation Ltd, the son of No Nay Never is a half-brother to black-type performer Garrogorille (Rock Of Gibraltar).