Thunder Moon

Thunder Moon began his racing career in a maiden race over seven furlongs at the Curragh on 9 August when he was ridden by Declan McDonogh and started at odds of 10/1 in an eleven-runner field. After starting well and settling just behind the leaders he took the lead a furlong from the finish and drew away to win "easily" by almost four lengths.[5] After the race the colt entered the ownership of Chantal Regalado-Rodriguez.

On 13 September Thunder Moon was moved up sharply in class to contest the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh in which he was again partnered by McDonogh. He went off the 15/2 third choice in the betting behind Lucky Vega and Master of the Seas (winner of the Superlative Stakes) in a ten-runner field which also included Military Style (Tyros Stakes), Law of Indices (Railway Stakes) and Mac Swiney. After tracking the leaders on the inside Thunder Moon struggled to obtain a clear run in the straight but when he found room to race he accelerated into the lead inside the final furlong and won in "impressive" fashion by one and a half lengths and a short head from Wembley and St Mark's Basilica.[6] Declan McDonogh commented "He quickened very well. I just got on heels when I was trying to angle out a little bit and had to bite the bullet and sit and suffer, but he showed great heart when he got a bit of room and always gave me the feel that he was going to run them down. He's got a serious will to win."[7] After the race he was made favourite for the following year's 2000 Guineas.

On 10 October Thunder Moon was sent to England and started the 11/4 favourite for the Dewhurst Stakes over seven furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse. After racing in mid-division he made steady progress in the closing stages but was beaten into third place behind St Mark's Basilica and Wembley, finishing two and a half lengths behind the winner.[8]