Thunder Snow (IRE)

Thunder Snow won his debut in May of his 2-year-old season but didn't find his way back to the winner's circle for five months, running second in a pair of Group 2 contest in England and fourth in the Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes. He won the Group 1 Criterium International on turf at Saint Cloud in October 2016 before a winter break from the races.

The colt returned to the track in Dubai in February 2017, winning the UAE 2000 Guineas on the dirt for owner Godolphin Racing. Thunder Snow was a late nominee to the U.S. Triple Crown races in March and won the UAE Derby over Epicharis on March 25, earning 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to earn a spot in the gate on the first Saturday in May. Thunder Snow famously flopped in the Kentucky Derby, leaving the starting gate bucking and pulling up before the field entered the first turn. The colt came out of the escapade in fine condition and returned overseas, where he finished second in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and third in the St. James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot before earning his second career Grade 1 victory in the Prix Jean Prat on the Chantilly turf in July.

In early 2018 Thunder Snow raced three times at Meydan, with a win in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 sandwiched between two runner-up efforts. He next entered the Dubai World Cup, facing a formidable international field that included American invaders West Coast, Forever Unbridled, and Gunnevera. Thunder Snow settled into the lead along the rail and would maintain that position throughout the race, spurting away to win the $10 million race by open lengths for his third Grade 1 tally and his first on dirt.

In August, Thunder Snow made his first start after the World Cup, returning to the turf for the Juddmonte International but finishing a disappointing eighth. Connections then elected to try for a spot in the Breeders' Cup Classic, shipping to New York to contest the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. Thunder Snow closed into fast fractions in that race but finished second, beaten at the wire by longshot Discreet Lover. He rallied willingly again in the Breeders' Cup Classic five weeks later but came up third behind winner Accelerate and deep closer Gunnevera.

Thunder Snow kicked off his 5-year-old season in Dubai, with plans to return to the U.S. during the year. After a runner-up effort in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 on March 9, Thunder Snow headed to the $12 million Dubai World Cup to attempt to become the first horse to win it twice. After breaking from post 12 of 13, Thunder Snow settled into a stalking position and moved up on the leaders leaving the turn for home, sustaining his drive through the stretch in a thrilling battle with Gronkowski before crossing the wire a nose in front. He added $7.2 million to his career bankroll for the win, bring his total earnings to more than $16 million.

Returning to the U.S. for his next start, Thunder Snow ran well in the Grade 1 Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap on June 8 at Belmont Park, finishing third behind Grade 1 winners Mitole and McKinzie.

Thunder Snow was bred in Ireland by his owner, Sheikh Mohammed's Darley.