Horse Racing
Haggas identifies Newbury as the starting point for More Thunder
William Haggas has outlined a Lockinge plan for More Thunder at the start of the 2026 campaign, but revealed another of his star performers from last season, Merchant, will not be seen until at least the autumn.
Formally trained by Sir Michael Stoute, More Thunder proved a revelation in his first year with the Somerville Lodge team in 2025, winning four of his six starts and progressing out of the handicap ranks to finish the campaign in Group One company.
He will remain at the highest level in his starting point for the new term, with a lack of options at his optimum seven-furlong trip meaning a move up to a mile at Newbury on May 16.
Haggas said: “I’m very disappointed in the lack of opportunities over seven furlongs for a horse like him and in fact there is nothing, so we’re aiming to start him in the Lockinge.
“He won over a mile and a quarter as a three-year-old and it shouldn’t be a problem the mile.
“We’ll have to take him away somewhere just to get the freshness out of him, but the Lockinge is the plan.”
Merchant was another to rise rapidly through the grades, following up handicap success at York with King George V Stakes glory at Royal Ascot before outbattling Wimbledon Hawkeye for Group Three honours at Goodwood.
However, talk of a Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe bid was scuppered when an injury was discovered before the Prix Niel last September, a setback that will keep the son of Teofilo out of action for some time yet.
“Unfortunately he’s injured and will be out until at least the autumn. It’s the same tendon injury that ended his season last year,” explained Haggas.
“He’s on his way back, but it’s a long haul. It would be the back-end of this season and 2027 we’ll see him.”
Also spending time on the sidelines is once-raced Classic hopeful My Ophelia, who created a taking impression when making a winning debut at Newbury in October and is a 16-1 shot for the Betfred Oaks at Epsom in early June.
“She has had a bit of a setback too and will miss April, but hopefully we can get a run into her in May then take it from there,” said Haggas.
“She’ll go for a trial, but I don’t know which one yet as she’s just on her way back and although she’s absolutely fine, we have lost quite a bit of time. She shouldn’t take much getting ready, but it’s not been an ideal preparation.”
