Progressive four-year-old Storm Star (5/2F) completed a hat-trick of course and distance victories this season with a determined display in the BetMGM All-Weather Championships Mile Handicap.
Trained by Andrew Balding for owner/breeder Jeff Smith, the G1 Lockinge Stakes entry was bidding to follow up wins on New Year’s Day and AWC Trials Day in January, with the latter making the Night Of Thunder colt eligible for a £15,000 bonus here.
Prominent throughout, Storm Star stalked pace-setter Valiant Force before hitting the front for Jason Watson passing the two-furlong pole.
Roi De France (4/1) emerged as a big danger entering the final furlong, with Storm Star finding more to cross the line a length and a quarter in front. Apiarist (18/1), who had finished behind Storm Star at Newcastle twice already this season, was a neck further back in third.
Watson said: “You look at Storm Star’s form at this track and, overall, he is very consistent. He is from a great family, by Night Of Thunder, and we know what Jeff Smith can produce. The family has done so well for him over the years and this is another great example.
“I think Storm Star thrives on being ridden prominently, which was obviously my instructions today from the boss. The horse has a very game way of going about things. He picked up really nicely and I struggled to pull him up.
“He is going to progress even more this year. I am very happy for Jeff Smith and the team at home, because they have done a great job with him. It is brilliant to have a big winner like this today.”
Anna Lisa Balding said: “I am absolutely delighted. Storm Star is a real yard favourite and it is great training these kinds of horses for Jeff Smith.
“I have to say that normally you would be worried to see Oisin [Murphy, rider of the runner-up] on your girth at the furlong pole but, knowing what Storm Star is like, he has kicked and gone clear of them.
“Seeing Jason and Oisin in a finish, normally we would want Oisin, but today it was great to have Jason. He is a great jockey and it is lovely having him back at Kingsclere riding for us regularly.
“This race has been a long-term plan – I think Storm Star was our first winner of 2025 – and Andrew has been working backwards from today. I hope we haven’t seen the best of him yet, as I think he is going to carry on improving.
“I know he has a Lockinge entry, a speculative one, yes, but who knows. He has a huge heart and we are lucky to have him.”
Oisin Murphy, who rode Roi De France, said: “Great run. We gave a lot of weight to the winner. Storm Star is an improver and I am delighted that he is reaching a decent level, because he has always shown a lot of potential. I had every chance – I followed the winner and was in space at the furlong pole, but I didn’t make up an inch of ground.”
3.00pm BetMGM All-Weather Championships Mile Handicap
1 Storm Star (Jeff Smith) Andrew Balding 4-8-13 Jason Watson 5/2F
2 Roi De France (Bjorn Nielsen) John & Thady Gosden 4-9-08 Oisin Murphy 4/1
3 Apiarist (Steve Ryan) Kevin Ryan 4-9-01 Tom Eaves 18/1
14 ran
Andrew Balding – 10th Finals Day winner
Jason Watson – 1st Finals Day winner
