Thistlecrack and Solstice Star in the spotlight to post a double at jump racing’s HQ.
Kayf Tara’s sons Thistlecrack and Solstice Star each continued impressive winning streaks with victory at Cheltenham on Sunday to help their sire pass the 100-winner mark for the season.
The Cobhall Court Stud graduate Thistlecrack recorded his fourth Graded success of his career with a 12-length romp in the G2 Cleeve Hurdle, posting what the Racing Post described as “a stunning display”. John and Heather Snook’s eight-year-old has also won the G1 Long Walk Hurdle and G1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle.
Solstice Star may not be winning at such an exalted level but he has nevertheless proved himself to be a game and consistent performer, with his win in the Steel Plate and Sections Handicap Hurdle being his fifth in a row since 4 November 2015. The David Allen-bred six-year-old was posting his second consecutive win over course and distance and, like Thistlecrack, now has the Cheltenham Festival firmly on his agenda.
In a week when a Kayf Tara colt topped the yearling session at the DBS January Sale and a mare in foal to him topped the mares’ section, Britain’s leading jumps sire also took his seasonal win tally to 102 at a strike-rate of 28% to keep him flying high on the National Hunt stallion table, behind only Presenting of the active sires in Britain and Ireland.
