Knightsbridge took command at the top of the lane and drew off through the stretch on his way to winning the $1 million G1 Pacific Classic by six-and-a-quarter lengths at Del Mar on Saturday, Aug. 22.
The race marked the first G1 victory for the five-year-old son of Nyquist, who was only making just his second start going two turns after several victories earlier in the season going one mile. The victory earned the future Darley stallion an automatic berth in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, where he could face off against fellow Godolphin homebred and 2025 Horse of the Year, Sovereignty.
Knightsbridge and Full Serrano broke alertly and quickly separated themselves from the rest of the field, trading the lead through an opening quarter-mile in :22.68 and a half in :45.45. Forged Steel settled into third a few lengths behind them.
The front pair stayed hooked around the second turn, reaching three-quarters of a mile in 1:09.53 and a mile in 1:35.17. Hit Show crept forward from mid-pack up the backstretch to press the issue, and Subsanador never landed a blow from the back half of the field.
Alvarado asked his charge for more turning for home and Knightsbridge answered by hitting another gear and opening up on the field. He powered down the center of the stretch unchallenged, closed out his last quarter mile in :26.73 and hit the wire in a final time of 2:01.79 on the fast main track. Original Sin unwound a long run from last, splitting horses to grab second, with Full Serrano taking third.
Knightsbridge was bred in Kentucky by Godolphin and is out of the unraced Bernardini mare, Tyburn Brook, making him a half brother to multiple Graded Stakes winner and current first-crop Darley stallion, Speaker’s Corner (Street Sense). Tyburn Brook is out of G1 winner Round Pond, who also produced G1 winner and Darley stallion, Highland Falls.
Nyquist has 10 Stakes winners to his credit this year, including Graded Stakes winners Nysos (G1 Met Mile), Immersive (G2 Fleur de Lis), Growth Equity (G3 Peter Pan), Iron Honor (G3 Gotham Stakes), and David of Athens (G3 Jebel Ali Mile).
