Coolmore shuttler Churchill (IRE) had an impressive winner at Chantilly in France overnight with a winning debut for the three-quarter brother to Matthew Smith’s popular Group winning stayer Grey Lion (IRE).
Three year-old gelding Gaidar lined up in a maiden race for unraced three year-olds over 1900m and the Andre Fabre trained grey surged to the line to win a length and a quarter as a hot favourite.
A homeb
red for Gestut Amerland, Gaidar is the seventh winner from seven to race from Group I winning Danehill mare Grey Lilas, who is the dam of not only Grey Lion, but also Group I winner Golden Lilac (Galileo) and stakes-winner Golden Guepard.
As a gelding his classic options are somewhat limited in Europe.... could be a prospect for Australia?
The first Northern Hemisphere progeny of Churchill are three year-olds and include stakes-winners Ladies Church, Snaffles and Vadeni, so their progress this season will be of great interest.
Churchill has two runners today at Randwick in the juvenile maiden with the Chris Waller trained pair Super Chilled and Conqueror, who looked good in a barrier trial last Thursday and will be ridden by Hugh Bowman.
