Churchill Colt Wins G1 Coral Eclipse

Tara Madgwick - Saturday July 2

A homebred for the Aga Khan, talented three year-old colt Vadeni announced himself on the big stage with a five length last start win in the Group I Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) and confirmed that potential when travelling to the UK to win the Group I Sandown Coral Eclipse Stakes (1m2f).

Vadeni wins the G1 Coral Eclipse - image Coolmore

Trained by Jean-Claud Rouget and ridden by Christophe Soumillion, the son of Coolmore shuttler Churchill (IRE) came from last to first to win the weight-for-age test by a neck in a thrilling finish over Mishriff and Native Trail.

Advertisement

Vadeni has five wins from seven starts and is the first French trained winner of the Coral Eclipse Stakes since 1960 when it was won by Javelot.

“Vadeni was very relaxed in the first part of the race. I was a little bit anxious at the beginning of the straight as he looked not very well (placed), but after a change of foot he came easily,” said Jean-Claud Rouget.

“I have 43 years of training in my legs so I know it is always difficult to win a maiden and to win the Eclipse, for me it was a real challenge.

“Winning the Irish Champion with Almanzor we were the same. I hope this one will win the other race (Irish Champion). Almanzor had more physical (presence). They are two champions but they are a bit different. The change of foot of this one is terribly good and what we saw in the Prix du Jockey Club. Next will be the Irish Champion.”

Vadeni is a half-brother to two stakes-placed horses and is the best of five winners from winning Monsun mare Vaderana, a half-sister to Group winners Vadamar and The Pentagon from Group I winner Vadawina.

Vadeni is the first Group I winner for Churchill and is one of five stakes-winners by the champion son of Galileo.

Churchill (IRE), click for more information.

Standing at Coolmore Australia this spring at a fee of $22,000, Churchill has had four Australian winners from his first crop here including promising Sydney metro winners Robusto and Conqueror.


 

Visit the profile page for Churchill

Churchill in upcoming sales:
Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Friday October 24
Here is the full list of 60 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Undefeated 3YO King of Light Wins Listed Belgravia
Dan Morton's exciting three year old King Of Light (Earthlight) remains unbeaten in three starts, as the gelding graduated to stakes company with a scintillating first up victory in the Listed Belgravia Stakes on Cox Plate Day at Ascot.
From FNQ To Sha Tin - Aussie Bred Sprinter Wins G2 Premier Bowl
Some horses arrive in Hong Kong with a very different back story - Fresh from winning the $20million The Everest with Ka Ying Rising, David Hayes was back in the winner’s list at Sha Tin on Sunday when Tomodachi Kokoroe won the Group II Premier Bowl (1200m).
Doubtland 2YO All On Red Smashes Them Again at Ascot
Widden Stud's Doubtland has a potential 2YO topliner in Perth in the shape of exciting WA colt All On Red, who remains undefeated from two starts after another comprehensive Ascot Saturday win.
Wootton Bassett and Camelot 2YO Colts Win Final French Group Ones
The last French Group I races of their flat season were run on Sunday and Aidan O’Brien produced the winners of both the Group I Criterium International (1600m) and Group I Criterium de Saint Cloud (1800m).
Sires With Winners - Saturday October 25
Here is the full list of 136 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Second Wootton Bassett Son Added to Coolmore Stallion Roster for 2026
Set to join Camille Pissarro as the second G1 winning son of Wootton Bassett on the stallion roster for Ireland in 2026 is Henri Matisse, who this time last year was about to claim his first G1 victory at the Breeders Cup meeting at Del Mar.
Sale Cup Winner Adds to Fastnet Rock Super Weekend
It’s been quite the weekend for the late great champion sire Fastnet Rock with a Cox Plate quinella on Saturday and then on Sunday he produced a new stakes-winner when seven year-old gelding El Rocko captured the $200,000 Listed Sale Cup (1600m).
A Century of NZB National Yearling Sales Success: Cox Plate
Moonee Valley’s A$6m Group One WS Cox Plate (2040m) is known as the weight-for-age championship of Australasia and has been won by many of Australia and New Zealand’s greatest thoroughbreds.
Sires With Winners - Sunday October 26
Here is the full list of 74 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.