King Of Light overcame the disadvantage of a slowly-run race to snatch a last-to-first victory in the G2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday.
It confirmed his favouritism for the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) on November 21. The Impressive Racing-bred galloper went into the weekend as a $4.50 public-elect for the Big Mile and is now the market leader at $3.
King Of Light (Photo / Western Racepix) defeated the Williams Racing stablemates Western Empire (Iffraaj) and London’s Image (Headwater) to bring up a hat-trick for a Dan Morton-trained syndicate.
He had claimed the LR Idyllic Prince Stakes (1300m) at Belmont in August before a bruised hoof kept him out of action until an awesome return in the G3 Eurythmic Stakes (1400m) at Ascot last month.
“This guy just knows how to win,” Morton declared. “He drew wide so Lucy (Fiore) let him reverse park but he’s got tactical speed to settle closer if needed. He’s very fit now and will probably improve a little bit more in the next two weeks.”
King Of Light (4g Earthlight – Queen’s Parade by Dalghar) was bred by Impressive Racing partners Kevin Berry and Darren McAuliffe and they sold him for $120,000 through Amelia Park (as agent) at the 2024 Perth Magic Millions.
He’s earned $929,000 including Westspeed Bonuses of $88,000 and the Group 1 Railway carries $1.5 million in prizemoney and the prestige of winning roll-call going back to 1887.
King Of Light is by former Darley shuttler Earthlight, and like Yarradale Stud’s Gingerbread Man, he is a son of breed-shaping, sire of sires Shamardal. His dam Queen’s Parade won a Northam maiden for Impressive Racing and her 2yo is a filly by Shamardal sire Blue Point (Ire).
