60 not out
Fri 09 Aug 2024
Winner 60 of 2024: LEXINGTON KNIGHT, trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by Joe Leavy (5). ‘Star Construction & Maintenance Brighton Challenge Cup Handicap’ over 1m4f at Brighton.
Having won the 'Brighton Challenge Cup' in 2022 in the steward’s room, it was fantastic to win the feature race of the card outright this year. Joe Leavy, who gets on incredibly well with Lexington Knight, the pair is now 2 – 2, managed to get him out of the stalls quickly and secure a lovely prominent position, just behind the leaders. Lexington had to be pushed along when turning for home, but responded gamely, and kept on finding. He went clear within the final furlong to win eased down by 2 ¾ lengths. This was his 8th victory in our silks and he is now just short of £100k in price money, which is a credit to the horse and all the team at Richard Hannon’s to keep Lexington so sweet over the years.
Timeform rated his victory with a career best 89, saying: “Found this easier than the Racing League event he'd contested last time and proved at least as good as ever, bagging a decent pot for the grade, both his successes this season under this top claimer; handy, driven over 3f out, led 2f out, drew clear entering final 1f.”
"Lexington Knight for Middleham Park Racing, Joe Leavy and Richard Hannon, and wins comfortably in the feature..." Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Brighton/08-August-2024/1600
"He is a street fighter like Mike Tyson" read the full article from the Racing Post here: https://www.racingpost.com/news/reports/hes-a-street-fighter-like-mike-tyson-enigmatic-lexington-knight-lands-feature-challenge-cup-aFXjB1I4S90n/
Many thanks to Brighton Racecourse, find the official photo gallery here: https://brightonracecourse.zenfolio.com/p608716305
Syndicate Manager Tim Palin says: "Fantastic victory, the biggest of his career, and you have to be very thrilled with that. Joe Leavy just knows him so well, and is able to get the best out of the horse, which I believe is key. It is his 2nd win of the year and 8th success overall, a huge testament to the horse, Richard and his whole team. He is an enigmatic character, but if he gets out of bed on the right side, it's game on."