Aidan O’Brien might have the favourite for the 2013 renewal of the Lockinge Stakes but it is now 10 years since the trainer’s first and only win in the race so far with Hawk Wing.
Hawk Wing was a colt who had a good career but never really fulfilled the potential he showed as a two-year-old. His wins as a two-year-old in 2001 made him favourite for the 2000 Guineas and Epsom Derby the next season but he finished second in both Classics.
Hawk Wing was kept in training as a four-year-old and it was his win in the 2003 Lockinge that, for me, gave him his most memorable day on the racecourse.
I remember watching the race on the big screen in a betting shop. In the minutes before the race dark rain clouds gathered over the racecourse and heavy rain began to fall. It gave a great sense of atmosphere to the race and then Hawk Wing proceeded to storm down the straight mile, leaving a good quality field far behind. The video below fails to do full justice to the heavy atmosphere but does show how impressive he was when he was at his best.
Cannot believe it was a decade ago now.
