Northern Tempest
🐎 Northern Tempest (IRE)
Foaled: 10th April 2023 | Sex: Gelding | Colour: Bay
Sire: Eqtidaar (IRE) | Dam: Tumblewind (GB)
Dam’s Sire: Captain Rio (GB)
Breeder: Hellwood Stud Farm
Trainer: Michael Dods
Why This Horse?
Northern Tempest is an exciting young sprinting prospect who represents the type of horse that can improve significantly with time and experience. A well-bred son of Group 1-winning sprinter Eqtidaar, he brings together natural speed, a strong pedigree and the potential to progress as he matures.
Purchased as a yearling, Northern Tempest was identified as a horse with plenty of physical appeal and a pedigree built around speed. His early racecourse experiences have suggested that he possesses the raw ability required to become a competitive sprint handicapper, and with further strengthening and education, there is every reason to believe his best days are ahead.
Young sprinters often take time to develop mentally and physically, and Northern Tempest fits the profile of a horse who can continue improving with each run. His natural pace, athletic build and the experience gained from his first season provide a strong foundation for the future.
🏇 Racing Profile
Foaled on 10th April 2023, Northern Tempest is an Irish-bred bay gelding who races in the colours of Ursa Major Racing Ltd and M. Dods. He made his debut at Carlisle in May 2025 over nearly six furlongs in a competitive Class 3 novice event, gaining valuable experience against stronger opposition.
Following that introduction, he showed signs of progression during his juvenile campaign, including a more encouraging effort at Pontefract over six furlongs before finishing a close fourth at Newcastle over five furlongs. Those performances demonstrated his natural speed and suggested that he was beginning to understand what racing is all about.
Northern Tempest’s pedigree strongly suggests that sprint trips between five and six furlongs are likely to be ideal. He possesses the pace required for sharp contests but also has the scope to develop into a stronger three-year-old as he matures.
With his handicap mark now established and further physical improvement expected, he looks an interesting prospect for the season ahead.
🏠 Training
Northern Tempest is trained by Michael Dods at his County Durham yard, one of the most respected sprinting operations in the north of England. The Dods team has an excellent reputation for producing talented sprinters and improving young horses through patient handling and careful placement.
The yard has enjoyed considerable success with fast, progressive horses, making them the ideal environment for a horse with Northern Tempest’s pedigree. Michael Dods understands the development curve of young sprinters and has a proven record of allowing them the time needed to strengthen and find their best form.
Since joining the yard, Northern Tempest has been given the opportunity to gain valuable racecourse experience. His performances have shown glimpses of ability, and the team will be looking to continue building on those foundations as he progresses into handicap company.
🧬 Pedigree Highlights
Northern Tempest is by Eqtidaar, the brilliant winner of the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. A son of the outstanding Invincible Spirit, Eqtidaar was blessed with exceptional speed and precocity, qualities that he has passed on to his offspring.
The Invincible Spirit sire line is renowned for producing high-class sprinters, with generations of fast, tough and professional horses competing successfully at the highest level. Northern Tempest’s pedigree gives him a strong foundation for sprinting success.
His dam, Tumblewind, was herself a talented sprinter, winning multiple races including over five furlongs. She is by Captain Rio, another source of speed and early ability, adding further sprinting influence to the family.
The combination of Eqtidaar’s Group 1 speed and Tumblewind’s sprinting pedigree makes Northern Tempest bred to excel over sharp distances, with plenty of encouragement that he can develop into a competitive handicap sprinter.
🌟 Looking Ahead
Northern Tempest remains an exciting horse for Ursa Major Racing, with plenty of scope for improvement as he gains experience and matures.
His first season has been about education, learning the demands of racing and developing physically. The signs have been encouraging, and a step forward into handicap company could provide the ideal opportunity for him to show his true ability.
With Michael Dods’ expertise in developing sprinters and a pedigree packed with speed, Northern Tempest has all the ingredients to become a progressive and exciting member of the team.
A young horse with plenty still to prove, he represents exactly what makes racing ownership so rewarding — following the journey, watching improvement and hopefully enjoying plenty of memorable days along the way.
