Thunderous edged out Highest Ground in a thrilling finish to the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York.
The Night Of Thunder colt battled on courageously to wear down Michael Stoute's unbeaten three-year-old and complete a big-race double at odds of 59-1 for trainer Mark Johnston and jockey Franny Norton. They had taken the preceding Musidora Stakes with Rose Of Kildare.
Thunderous showed he had come on for his belated seasonal debut at Newmarket 12 days earlier, when he had lost his 100% record.
The 13-2 chance was handily placed as Cormorant made the running and kept his position as they headed for home in the straight, before Highest Ground (8-11 favourite) hit the front.
But the latter could not put the race to bed, and Thunderous knuckled down to his task and got on top in the dying strides to score by a neck.
A big race double on Knavesmire for Franny Norton and Mark Johnston 🙌
— York Racecourse (@yorkracecourse) July 9, 2020
Thunderous shows guts and determination to out battle odds-on favourite Highest Ground in the Group 2 @ABE_Dubai Dante Stakes 🏆🏇 pic.twitter.com/JPNXVnQMWt
Charlie Johnston, assistant to his father, said: "That was fantastic. He's had his ups and downs, this horse - he was unbeaten as a juvenile and then had an injury after winning at Newbury (in August), just as we were starting to dream of races like the Royal Lodge and the Vertem Futurity Trophy.
"He had another setback in March, although the consequences of that weren't quite as dramatic, because there was no racing in the early part of the year.
"Certainly when we left Newbury last year we felt he was a Derby horse. Just the way things have panned out, we've never had a clean run at that, but he's a horse we've always thought a huge amount of and he's got a big future."
Norton said: "We'd normally be coming out of today with the favourite for the Oaks and the Derby! We'll see where we go from here.
"He was off the bridle, but he was behind the bridle a little bit at Newmarket as well. He had to dig in deep today, but he did.
"I was quite confident and comfortable where I was. He loved that ground, and I think there's more to come - I don't think he's quite there just yet.
"He'd stay further, but we'll find out how he is when we get him home - whether he's sharpened up. He's obviously taken a step forward from Newmarket."
Rose Of Kildare (7-1) rallied in admirable fashion to take the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes.
Making a quick return on the back of finishing third at Epsom on Saturday, the Johnston-trained filly defeated some unexposed types to land the Group Three honours.
Norton had Rose Of Kildare out in front from the start and set a steady pace before the tempo increased in the straight.
She was soon headed by Dubai Love and Ricetta, but Rose Of Kildare (7-1) found more in the final furlong to go on again and win by two and a half lengths.
Albaflora (8-1) stuck on well to grab second, with the Ricetta (13-8F) third.
Rose of Kildare relishes the step up in trip and clears away to win the Group 3 @Tattersalls1766 Musidora Stakes for Franny Norton and Mark Johnston 🥇👏 pic.twitter.com/t4NMecfD7o
— York Racecourse (@yorkracecourse) July 9, 2020
Norton said: "It was a good performance, because it was a quick turnaround from Epsom, where she ran very well.
"She hit a bit of a flat spot, but she picked up again and ran right to the line."
The filly was bought for €3,000 by the trainer's son.
He said: "She's taken us on an incredible journey and one we're so proud of, really.
"We're very fortunate to train for some of the most influential and powerful owners in racing - but at the same time, to have a syndicate of 20 owners with a filly like this is fantastic.
"We left Germany very frustrated - she should have won the German Guineas. When the Epsom race cut up we felt we had to run, because it was another good opportunity for black type.
"We left Epsom kicking ourselves a bit, thinking we shouldn't have run, because we knew she'd improve for a mile and a quarter- and this was a good race for her. But as we always say, they are racehorses and they're there for racing.
"She pulled it out of the fire today. There's not a lot of her, and when we weighed her on Sunday morning we were hesitant to bring her here, but she's very, very tough.
"I'm not sure where we'll go. She's won three Group Threes now, so we have to go up in class. I'm trying to rack my brains for a Group Two at this kind of trip against her own sex.
"Do we look at the Nassau (at Goodwood)? I don't know. She owes us nothing, and we'll get home and enjoy today."
