By Sean Cronin
Wathnan Racing's Tornado Tower (Frankel), an 850,000gns Book 1 full-brother to G1 Irish Derby, G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 St Leger hero Hurricane Lane, made his second start a winning one in Wednesday's TMT Group Maiden Stakes at Chester.
“We had the option of going a mile-and-a-half or a mile-and-a-quarter here, but decided he'd shown enough zip in his last piece of work to go a mile-and-a-quarter,” explained James Doyle. “He was learning on the job early, we got rolling a little way from home and it set up nicely for him. He's obviously related to Hurricane Lane and Sweet William, so he's got big boots to fill.”
Runner-up over an extended 10-furlong trip at Nottingham last month, the 13-8 second favourite was tasked with extra yardage at the Roodeye venue and moved forward to race in second after passing the judge first time. Looming large going well on the home turn, he held sway into the short straight and was ridden out to comfortably outpoint El Nay (Palace Pier) by two lengths.
Tornado Tower is the fifth of seven foals and fourth scorer out of Listed Prix Denisy victrix Gale Force (Shirocco), herself a half-sister to G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares heroine Seal Of Approval (Authorized) and G3 Oak Tree Stakes third Instance (Invincible Spirit).
The winner, who is also full to Listed Junioren-Preis runner-up Frankel's Storm (GB) and a yearling filly, is a half-brother to the multiple Group 1-placed dual G2 Doncaster Cup victor Sweet William (Sea The Stars) and a two-year-old filly by Dubawi.
Tornado Tower blows them away! 🌪️
Hurricane Lane's full brother gets off the mark in good style at @ChesterRaces for the Gosden team under James Doyle… pic.twitter.com/dXqaXtcPVq
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 6, 2026
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