By Steve Sherack
Unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Knightsbridge (c, 3, Nyquist–Tyburn Brook, by Bernardini), a jaw-dropping winner of his first two starts by a combined 19 1/2 lengths, has begun gearing up for a potential return to action this fall at Keeneland.
The Godolphin homebred posted a double-digit victory going seven furlongs on debut at Churchill Downs Nov. 4, then fired fresh off the bench with another dominating decision in an optional claimer going a one-turn mile at Gulfstream Park last out Mar. 28. The latter performance earned him a 96 Beyer Speed Figure.
Knightsbridge has posted three workouts at Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott's Saratoga base this summer, most recently breezing four furlongs in :49.77 (23/71) over the Oklahoma training track Sept. 15.
“We're delighted that he's in full training and doing well,” Godolphin USA Director of Bloodstock Michael Banahan said.
“Bill's very happy with him, slowly making progress. There was nothing structurally wrong–nothing surgical or anything–just a minor sort of juvenile-type issues and he just needed a little bit of time. We're hoping that if all goes well, maybe we can get a start into him in October towards the end of the Keeneland meet. If he makes it great, there's no real pressure. If he doesn't, he'll maybe have something a little bit later, Churchill in the fall or something like that.”
Banahan added, “We're excited to get him back. He's a horse that we're all looking forward to seeing again.”
Knightsbridge is a half-brother to young Darley stallion Speaker's Corner (Street Sense), winner of the 2022 GI Carter Handicap. Knightsbridge's second dam is GI Breeders' Cup Distaff heroine Round Pond (Awesome Again), who brought $5.75 million from Sheikh Mohammed's global operation at the 2007 Fasig-Tipton November sale. Knightsbridge's unraced dam is a half-sister to this summer's GI Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Highland Falls (Curlin) and G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 winner Long River (A.P. Indy). The Nyquist x Bernardini cross is also responsible for GISWs Gretzky the Great and Immersive and unbeaten 'Rising Star' and MGSW Nysos.
🗡️ #6 KNIGHTSBRIDGE ($2.20) wins impressively at Gulfstream Park with @JuniorandKellyA in the irons for trainer Bill Mott. The 3YO colt by @DarleyAmerica's Nyquist is owned and bred by @godolphin. pic.twitter.com/Pqg4Axbcfx
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 28, 2024
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