The Group III Weld Park Stakes (7f) at the Curragh overnight produced a new stakes-winner for Coolmore shuttler Churchill (IRE) with progressive two year old filly Heavens Gate rewarded for her consistency.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, Heavens Gate has never finished worse than fourth in six previous starts and was tenacious to the line in winning by a neck over eight rivals.
Heavens Gate has three wins and three placings, two of them Group placings, from seven starts and her season may not be over yet with the Breeders Cup meeting at Del Mar in North America a possibility.
“Heavens Gate quickened well from a patient ride. She has had some very good runs and deserved that. She could possibly go to America,” said Aidan O'Brien.
A homebred for the Coolmore partners, Heavens Gate is the first stakes-winner among six winners from winning Danzig mare Itqaan, who was 20 when she was born.
A grand-daughter of blue hen Height of Fashion, Itqaan comes from a massive family being a half-sister to Group I winner Ghanaati, Group III winner Mawatheeq and stakes-winner Rumoush with the family producing a myriad of stakes-winners including imported Group I Sydney cup winner Shraaoh (IRE).
Heavens Gate is the 28th stakes-winner for Churchill, who is back at Coolmore Australia this spring at a fee of $19,800.
