Hong Kong Stakes-Winner for Churchill

Tara Madgwick - Monday November 6

Irish bred Churchill gelding Encountered (IRE) has been working nicely through his grades in Hong Kong and landed his first Black Type win on Sunday when taking out the Group III Sa Sa Ladies Purse (1800m).

Encountered wins the G3 Sa Sa Ladies Purse - image HKJC

Trained by Manfred Man and ridden by Derek Leung, he surged into the race coming down the straight and dashed clear to win by more than a length over Starspangledbanner gelding Champion Dragon.

His overall record stands at eight wins and five placings from 21 starts and his trainer plans to add Encountered to his list of entries for Hong Kong International Day in December.

Man, who also prepares the world’s top-ranked sprinter and leading G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) contender Lucky Sweynesse, was unsure as to where Encountered, would head next.

“I will look at the programme first, I don’t know yet,” Man said in response to whether either the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) or the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin November were viable options.

“I think he could handle 2000 metres – the horse makes me feel excited. He’s an easy horse to train. I think he will still improve.”

Advertisement

Encountered was originally a Tattersalls October Yearling Sale purchase for 160,000 guineas and was sent to Hong Kong after two starts that included a win at Doncaster in 2021.

He is a half-brother to Group II winner Royal Scotsman and is the second stakes-winner among four winners from four foals to race out of stakes-placed Pivotal mare Enrol.

Encountered is the 15th stakes-winner for Churchill, who recently sired his first Australian Group I winner in Attrition and is covering his sixth season at Coolmore Australia at a fee of $22,000.

Churchill (IRE), click for more info and a Hypo mating.

Churchill will have a Melbourne Cup runner on Tuesday with the Chris Waller trained import More Felons (IRE) set to take his place with Jamie Kah to ride. Has had only the one run here for a half length fifth in the Geelong Cup.

Visit the profile page for Churchill

Churchill in upcoming sales:
Advertisment

Race Result - The Sa Sa Ladies' Purse Gr3 1800m

Sha Tin Track: G0 Time: 1:47.40
1
Encountered
- 5g Churchill (IRE) x Enrol (GB) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: K L Man Rdr: K C Leung 58
Churchill
2
1.3
Champion Dragon
- 6g Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Via Lattea (IRE) (Teofilo (IRE))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: M F Poon 52
3
1.6
La City Blanche
- 5g Cityscape (GB) x Etoile Blanc (BRZ) (Nedawi (GB))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: K Teetan 52
4
2.8
Straight Arron
- 5g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Imperial Lass (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: C Fownes Rdr: Lyle Hewitson 56.5
5
3.0
Money Catcher
- 6g Ferlax (NZ) x Warren's Sister (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: A Badel 61
6
3.5
Super Sunny Sing
- 5g Nicconi (AUS) x Red Centre (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: W Y So Rdr: M Chadwick 53.5
7
4.5
Running Glory
- 6g Kermadec (NZ) x Hannah Mary (NZ) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: Z Purton 56
8
4.8
Tourbillon Diamond
- 7g Olympic Glory (IRE) x Modave (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: A Atzeni 54
9
7.3
Senor Toba
- 6g Toronado (IRE) x Bahamas (AUS) (Teofilo (IRE))
Tnr: C Fownes Rdr: M L Yeung 58
More Reading...
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 23
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$400,000 Invincible Filly a Grand Investment
A three-quarter sister-in-blood to dual Group I winning mare Charm Stone, stakes-placed I Am Invincible filly Naifah always looked well bought at the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $400,000.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 MVRC Cox Plate
An emotional week in Australasian racing approaches its crescendo as we count down to the final Cox Plate before a radical new era in its history begins and we mourn the passing of one of its greatest champions.
$140,000 NZB Ready to Run Graduate Books Ticket to G1 Victoria Derby
Bred for stamina being by Melbourne Cup winner Shoicking from a daughter of Tavistock, talented Kiwi bred three-year-old Azazel has booked his passage for the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) on Saturday week after a tough victory in the Listed Roderick Insurance Brokers 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) at Geelong on Thursday.
One to Watch – Mornington
In Cox Plate week it only seems fitting that the 2013 winner Shamus Award would give us a ‘One to Watch’ at Mornington on Thursday.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
Tarzino Stayer Wins G3 Geelong Cup
Trainer Paul Preusker will get another tilt at a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after Torranzino ran out a strong winner of the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on Thursday.