Redkirk Warrior (GB) ridden by Regan Bayliss wins the Black Caviar Lightning in 2018. (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)
Lightning at just two years of age.
In 2010 the Hayes family struck again, this time with a sharp, well- bred colt called Nicconi. He scored a strong win in the race, but today has become a part of Lightning history as the first horse to also sire another winner of the Lightning, that being reigning champion, Nature Strip. “I don’t think anyone has done that in the last century or so,” said Hayes. “Nicconi could have gone on and won more Lightnings, but he had stud duties to attend to. We never doubted that he would produce a world class sprinter like Nature Strip.” There was more to come from the Hayes team, with Hayes taking on one-time English sprinter Redkirk Warrior. Bred to be a stayer, the giant striding import failed miserably in Hong Kong after being sold. Hayes believed there was more in him than met the eye. In 2018 he roared down the Flemington straight and not only redeemed his reputation, but also established himself as a world- class sprinter. Many racing historians maintain the Black Caviar Lightning is in the upper echelon of horse races staged in this country.
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