Horse racing has seen winners come in all shapes and sizes. Some giants, while others small, tiny if not pocket sized. Well, almost. Perhaps the old adage of the best things come in small packages is fitting for Lyric Fantasy, for this tiny thoroughbred horse was called the ‘Pocket Rocket’.

Trained by Richard Hannon Snr, in the ownership of Lord Carnarvon and Susan Magnier, this daughter of Tate Gallery out of the mare Flying Melody was a cheap yearling purchase at just £12,500. She would prove to be a star turn.

1992 saw this two-year-old come out all guns blazing, winning her first four races impressively, including the National Stakes (Listed Race), Queen Mary Stakes (Group 3) & Super Sprint Trophy by an average of almost six-lengths.

Connections thought she was good enough to take on her peers in the Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1), at York Racecourse, over 5f. Only four other juveniles had won this race in over 100-years, since its inauguration in 1922.

The unbeaten filly, the pocket rocket, known as Lyric Fantasy headed to York.

20th August 1992

York Racecourse

Keeneland Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1)

Distance 5f

Going: Good to Firm

Runners: 11

Horse Racing Replay: Racing TV

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCZuUAK6IWI

Such was the impressive nature of her earlier races and unbeaten, she was price 8/11f. Ridden by Michael Roberts, the bustling crowd at the Knavesmire watched with anticipation. Could she be the first two-year-old filly to win the Nunthorpe Stakes?

The stalls open…

‘Lyric Fantasy out of the stalls like a pocket rocket!’

Freddie Lloyd led until disputed halfway with Diamonds Galore and Paris House in contention. At the 2-furlong pole Lyric Fantasy ran on to challenge the lead. With just over a furlong to go the commentator said: ‘It’s only now this little filly starts to go on by half a length. Inside the final furlong it’s Lyric Fantasy who’s going to take it but the challenge comes from Mr Brooks (trained by Richard Hannon Snr, ridden by Lester Piggott). Lyric Fantasy by a lenght-and-a-half, And it’s going to be Lyric Fantasy, ears pricked at the line, oh so cheekie, with Mr Brooks is second, then Diamonds Galore.’

‘A brilliant little one beats a good big one!’

She won in a time of 57.39s.

Her next start saw her finish runner-up when favourite in the Cheveley Park Stakes (Group 1) over 6f.

She would race four times as a three-year-old, making her return in the 1000 Guineas over one-mile where she finished 6th tiring in the final furlong behind the truly talented Sayyedati.

Lyric Fantasy made her final run returning to the Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1) in 1993, but this time without a substantial age weight allowance she finished last behind Lochsong (who went on to win the race again in 1998).

Purchased for just £12,500 as a yearling, at two she was sold for 340,000G.

She won six of her ten races, earning total prize money of £221,762.

Many horse racing fans remember Lyric Fantasy.

‘The Pocket Rocket.’

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