No Nay Never's Little Big Bear Best In The Windsor Castle

Hammered into 6-5 favouritism Little Big Bear (2c No Nay Never - Adventure Seeker, by Bering) powered home in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes to give No Nay Never his latest winner at the Royal meeting.

Named a TDN Rising Star after his 3-length maiden win last month, Aidan O’Brien’s charge raced near the pace far side before being sent forward passing halfway under Ryan Moore. When the two groups merged with two furlongs to run, Little Big Bear was made to work for the lead, showing a good attitude in the final half-furlong to prevail by a neck.

“It was a good performance from a horse who is still learning,” Moore said. “He was out on the wing and the horses in the middle were ahead - he got a bit lonely, but he has plenty of ability. He is a big horse and I thought he did that comfortably. I know he didn’t win by far, but there was more in the locker. I am looking forward to him.”

“He just got beat the first time and won well the second time. Ryan rode him work in the week and was happy with him. He should get further in the future too and is in the [Gr.1] Phoenix Stakes,” Aidan O’Brien later commented. “He is a big horse. It is obviously a very fast race and horses need to know a lot in it and be very educated. He had only had the two runs, so we were a bit worried about that, but we’re delighted really.”

Owned by Coolmore partners and Westerberg, Little Big Bear was bred by Camas Park Stud and Summerhill. The €320,000 yearling purchase is the third Stakes winner from No Nay Never’s current crop of 2YOs bred off the back of his leading first season sire title, which was highlighted by unbeaten 2YO Ten Sovereigns.