More Thunder's Hungerford Stakes victory brought back memories of another Hannon family trained Hungerford winner and one of my personal favourites - the brilliant Paco Boy, Richard Hannon Snr.’s mercurial miler who thrilled fans in the late 2000s. From his early handicap days to Group 1 glory at home and abroad, Paco Boy was a horse and character of rare talent, though not without a quirk or two!

Early Career – From Handicap Star to Group Contender

By Desert Style out of the mid-level performer Tappen Zee and bought relatively cheaply for 30,000 Guineas at the Doncaster breeze up sale in 2027, he entered Hannon’s stable without the fanfare of a blueblood. Yet from the early days, his raw pace, brilliant turn of foot and will to win marked him out.

As a three-year-old in 2008 he carved a rapid path through the ranks. After landing a Lingfield handicap off top weight, he announced himself by winning the Group 3 Greenham Stakes over 7f in the spring. Though he bypassed the 2000 Guineas, Paco Boy soon developed into a fearsome force, particularly in 7f races. His most impressive early success came in the Hungerford Stakes, where his trademark acceleration saw him sweep past rivals with disdain. He capped his season with victory in the Prix de la Forêt at Longchamp on Arc weekend, confirming him as one of Europe’s top performers at 7f.

Four-Year-Old Season – The Step Up to a Mile

Connections were never quite certain of his optimum trip. Brilliant over 7f, Paco Boy was tried at a mile in 2009 and showed that he could stretch that electric turn of foot over the longer distance. He took the Sandown Mile in style and then delivered his first domestic Group 1 in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, swooping from off the pace to put away a high-class field.

Later that season he added the Group 1 Prix de la Forêt for a second time, confirming his love of the specialist trip and his ability to mix it at both 7f and a mile.

Five-Year-Old Season – Taking on Goldikova and Canford Cliffs

By 2010 Paco Boy was established as one of Europe’s top milers, though his reputation was tested against two exceptional contemporaries. He again landed the Sandown Mile and followed up in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, further cementing his dominance on home soil.

But his career is perhaps most remembered for his clashes with the brilliant mare Goldikova and his younger stablemate Canford Cliffs. At Royal Ascot he finished second to Goldikova in the Queen Anne, chasing her home in what many regard as one of the finest performances of her glittering career. Later that year, Paco Boy found himself in the shadow of Canford Cliffs, the new star of Hannon’s yard, who narrowly defeated him in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

Despite these defeats, Paco Boy always ran with enormous credit. His acceleration, particularly when produced late, remained one of the most thrilling sights of the summer racing season.

Retirement and Legacy

Paco Boy retired at the end of the 2010 season having won 11 of his 24 starts, including three Group 1 races, and more than £1.1 million in prize money. While he never quite conquered the very summit against the likes of Goldikova, he was nonetheless a top-class miler whose ability to quicken off a strong pace made him a cult favourite.

The Hannon Touch

For Richard Hannon Snr., Paco Boy epitomised his gift for making top-class performers out of horses that weren’t fashionably bred or expensively bought. He was trained with typical patience and campaigned boldly, giving racegoers many memorable days across three seasons at the highest level.

-- Carl Wilson