The influential Acclamation sireline has spawned another elite sprinter in England.

Lethal Force, a son of Acclamation’s rising star Dark Angel, bagged his second Group 1 in the July Cup (1200m) at Newmarket on Saturday.  He was coming off a G1 triumph in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.

Lethal Force is only the second dual Group 1 winner to represent the Acclamation sireline.  Swettenham Stud shuttler Equiano made the initial breakthrough with Group 1 victories in the 2008 and 2010 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Lethal Force (4c Dark Angel – Land Army by Desert Style) broke the Newmarket 1200m track record clocking 1.09.11s on Saturday.  Super sprinter Stravinsky had held the old mark since 1999.

Trainer Clive Cox has Group 1 options for his grey flyer in the Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on August 4 or the Nunthorpe Stakes at York on August 23.  Racing Victoria’s Leigh Jordon also spoke to Cox about a possible spring trip to Australia for the Manikato Stakes and Patinack Farm Classic.

“The key to Lethal Force is that he has matured physically and mentally from three to four and he was already a Group 2 winner last year,” Cox said.  “He has clearly stamped his authority on this division and the record time is something I will cherish.”

Lethal Force was given a Racing Post rating of 124 after the July Cup which is still inferior to Equiano who remains the highest ranked sprinter to represent the Acclamation sireline.

Equiano received a Timeform rating of 127 which puts daylight between him and fellow Acclamation  sires Dark Angel and Harbour Watch.

Equiano is in quarantine ahead of his third southern book at Swettenham Stud.  He will stand for a $16,500 (inc gst) service fee at the Nagambie nursery this year.

– Karl Patterson