Tenth Stakes-Winner for Churchill

Tara Madgwick - Monday May 8

Headed back to Coolmore Australia this spring, Churchill (IRE) posted his tenth stakes-winner in Ireland on Sunday when lightly raced colt Sprewell stamped himself as a Derby contender with a dominant win in the Group III Derby Trial Stakes (1m2f) at Leopardstown.

Trained by Jessica Harrington and ridden by Shane Foley, Sprewell surged clear to win by three lengths at just his fourth start.

Advertisement

“Sprewell is a very, very good horse. He wouldn't excite you at home and I wasn't sure how he was going but Kate [Harrington, assistant and daughter to Jessica] told me he was fine, ready and not to worry,”: said Shane Foley.

“He gave me a proper feel, when I gave him a squeeze he came back underneath me. It was a proper-run race and a good one. He'll be a Derby horse hopefully. He enjoys that soft ground really well. There's no reason why he shouldn't go on better ground but he handles it well.”

Bred and raced by Mohamed Khalid Mohamed Abdulrahim,Sprewell has two wins from four starts and holds entries for the Epsom, Irish and French Derbies.

He is the best of five winners from Group I winner Lahaleeb and is the tenth stakes-winner for Churchill, who stands this season in Australia at a fee of $22,000.

Churchill (IRE) stands at a fee of $22,000.

Advertisment
More Reading...
$2.8million for Estriella
Tom Magnier loves his I Am Invincible mares and having earlier tonight secured Tiz Invincible for $2.8million at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, he paid the same amount for her Group II winning stablemate Estriella, who is by the same sire.
Newgate Turn a Quick Profit with $1million for Eagle Nest
Newgate Bloodstock made a savvy investment at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale last year paying $300,000 for stakes-placed Shalaa (IRE) mare Eagle Nest and 12 months on they were rewarded when selling her for $1million.
14 Mares Sell for $1million or More - Inglis Chairmans Sale Ignites!
Bella Nipotina tonight became the equal third-most expensive mare ever sold in the Southern Hemisphere when realising $4.2m on a record-breaking evening at the Chairman’s Sale.
$3.8Million Amelia’s Jewel - Next Stop Kentucky
The Inglis Chairman’s Sale concluded with one of the highlight lots of the night when Group I winning $4million earner Amelia’s Jewel sold for $3.8million to Tom Magnier.
Vinery Sell Pair of Million Dollar Mares
Vinery Stud made their mark at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale selling two fabulous mares off the track in Mumbai Muse and Makarena, who fetched $1.8million and $1.5million.
Sires With Winners - Thursday May 8
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Wootton Bassett Fee Announced
During a high octane night of trade at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale Coolmore boss Tom Magnier was active at the top of the market purchasing three stunning mares in Amelia’s Jewel, Tiz Invincible and Estriella and also announced the fee for Wootton Bassett (GB).
Mapperley Stud Announce 2025 Fees
Mapperley Stud has announced Champion son of Galileo – Armory will stand for a fee of $10,000+gst this season. Armory will be standing his 4th season at stud in 2025 and has been heavily supported by New Zealand breeders since his arrival covering 350 mares across his first 3 seasons.
French Derby Contender for Godolphin
The Godolphin winning run continued in France overnight with a French Derby contender emerging in the shape of progressive Lope de Vega colt Cualificar, who is out of Fastnet Rock’s Group I Epsom Oaks winner Qualify.
Arrowfield Pay $2million for I Am Me
Dynamic Syndications have enjoyed the ride of a lifetime with I Am Invincible mare I Am Me and it ended with fireworks at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale when the $4.7million earning sprinter was sold to Arrowfield Stud for $2million.