Lightning Thunder retired Last year's English and Irish 1000 Guineas runner-up Lightning Thunder has been retired following a disappointing campaign. The daughter of Dutch Art ran a fantastic race when beaten just a neck by Miss France on the Rowley Mile last May and was a clear second again at the Curragh behind Marvellous. She has since failed to rediscover that form, however, and after finishing down the field in the Listed Upavon Fillies' Stakes at Salisbury on Wednesday, connections have decided to call time on her career. Trainer Olly Stevens told www.robinsfarmracing.com: "There is nothing wrong with her physically but, despite giving her the best of everything, the old magic isn't there. "She is probably paying the price of a very taxing Classic campaign where she scored 95 not out but didn't quite get the century up. "It was tremendously sporting of her owners to continue to try with her this year in case we can re-kindle the old furnace but, we have all agreed that enough is enough and that this magnificent filly should be allowed to retire with dignity, memories of greater days still intact."
