and started 2/1 favourite in a field which also included Integral, Toormore and Kingsbarns. Restrained at the back of the eleven runners field in the early stages, the colt was switched to the outside and back to the inside as Hughes attempted to obtain a clear run. He finished strongly but failed to overhaul Charm Spirit and finished second, beaten half a length. 2015: four-year-old season Before the start of the 2015 season, Night of Thunder was bought by Godolphin Racing but remained in Hannon's stable. He made his first appearance of the year in the Lockinge Stakes on the straight mile course at Newbury on 16 May. He started the 11/4 joint favourite with the filly Integral, winner of the Falmouth Stakes and Sun Chariot Stakes. Toormore was again in opposition, whilst the other leading contenders in the sixteen-runner field included Custom Cut (Joel Stakes, Sandown Mile), Here Comes When (Challenge Stakes), and Mooharib. Ridden by James Doyle, he tracked the leaders before taking the lead approaching the final furlong as the leaders tracked across to the far-side rail (the left side of the course from the jockeys' viewpoint). Night of Thunder held off the late run of Toormore to win by a neck with Arod taking third ahead of Integral. Doyle said, "This is just the start of his campaign and there'll be more to come. He's a big type and went to win his race and had a puff and ground it out nicely. He's got a great attitude", whilst Hannon indicated that the colt would be aimed at the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. In the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, Night of Thunder started the 4/1 third favourite behind Solow and Able Friend. He raced just behind the leaders but was unable to make any progress in the last quarter mile and finished fifth of the eight runners, almost five lengths behind the winner Solow. Night of Thunder faced Solow again in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and started 5/1 second favourite. He reached third place in the straight but weakened in the closing stages and finished sixth of the eight runners behind the French gelding. Assessment In the 2014 World's Best Racehorse Rankings, Night of Thunder was rated the 37th best racehorse in the world and the tenth best three-year-old male. Stud record Night of Thunder stands at Kildangan Stud for a