Shadow Of Light dazzles with brilliant G1 Middle Park Stakes victory

Shadow Of Light emulated his three-parts brother Earthlight with a scintillating display in the G1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket, UK, on Saturday, 28 September. 

While his illustrious sibling had already won the G1 Prix Morny when lowering the six-furlong course record in 2019, Shadow Of Light was making his top-level debut on the back of a closing second in the G2 Gimcrack Stakes at York. 

After breaking on terms, Shadow Of Light was held up at the rear of the six runners by William Buick before taking slightly closer order approaching the halfway point. 

The Charlie Appleby-trained colt travelled strongly into the race towards the stands’ side approaching the two-furlong pole and quickened well to take up the running from Dash Dizzy and Whistlejacket over a furlong out. 

Shadow Of Light readily streaked away from his rivals, hitting the line full of running to beat this season’s Prix Morny winner Whistlejacket by an easy four lengths. 

Charlie Appleby said: “I am delighted for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, team Godolphin, and the team at home.

“Paul Eddery, who rides Shadow Of Light at home, has been rock solid with his advice all year. Paul has been on him since the summer and was very confident heading into this weekend that he is a Group One horse. 

“It is nice to have a horse like him. He is a three-parts brother to Earthlight, so there is plenty of pedigree on that page and, being by Lope De Vega, we were hopeful he would go on the ground. 

“I would imagine we will put him away for the winter now and it will be a case of whether we look towards the 2,000 Guineas or a Commonwealth Cup programme. From his page, I would say he is a Commonwealth Cup horse. There is a lot of speed there and, as he gets stronger, he will probably get quicker.”

William Buick added: “Shadow Of Light has really improved since the Gimcrack, when I was pretty sure he did not get the rub of the green. He has grown up mentally and I was really impressed by what he did today. He cruised through the race and picked up as he liked.

“There is plenty to look forward to heading into the winter. He is quick horse and I am not sure how far he will get, but Charlie, the team and His Highness will have plenty of time to make up a plan.

“It is hard to be sure how they will pick up in this ground. This is the first time he has run on ground as soft as this, but he was electric and did today what he did last week at home.”