Pencarrow Stud Bred Churchill Mare Wins G3 Anniversary

Media Release - Saturday January 13

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike made a flying start to racing at Trentham on Saturday when he produced the winners of the first two stakes races on a day featuring five black type events.

Just one race after promising filly Archaic Smile dominated her two-year-old rivals in the Listed IRT Wellesley Stakes (1100m), underrated mare Churchillian produced a dogged effort to take out the Gr.3 Dixon & Dunlop Anniversary Handicap (1600m).

Top apprentice Lily Sutherland celebrates Churchillian's victory in the Gr.3 Dixon & Dunlop Anniversary Handicap (1600m).  Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

Top apprentice Lily Sutherland celebrates Churchillian's victory in the Gr.3 Dixon & Dunlop Anniversary Handicap (1600m). Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

Rider Lily Sutherland had the four-year-old daughter of Churchill positioned on the heels of pacemaker Sergio throughout after beginning well from barrier 12 and loomed up to make her challenge shortly after turning for home.

Left a sitting duck as Sergio dropped off quickly, Churchillian found a good kick to draw two lengths clear before repelling a stern challenge from Apostrophe in the final few strides, winning by an ever reducing long head margin with Town Cryer battled on strongly to take third.

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It was the first win at the elite level for Churchillian and one that Pike found particularly satisfying.

“She deserved that as she has been consistent all season,” Pike said.

“Things didn’t completely go her way as she was taken off the track at the top of the straight when things got a bit tight, but she is a good honest mare.

“She was always travelling well and despite getting some buffeting she is a pretty hard horse to get past when she gets in front.”

Pike was non-committal on a programme for the mare over the summer months but indicated a brief spell could be on the cards.

“We will just wait and see how she comes through this but she has been up quite a while with some tough racing,” he said.

“She is a promising mare going forward and I think she will only get better as she gets a bit of age on her.”

Sutherland was also quick to praise the attitude of her mount.

“She is just so tough,” she said.

“There was a lot of speed in the race but she crossed over easily and although the horse inside her (Sergio) ran her out a bit she was too tough.

“She tried really really hard and I was lucky to be on her.

“I’m very lucky to be on horses for the stable and they are going very well.”

Bred by Sir Peter Vela under his Pencarrow Thoroughbreds banner, Churchillian is the first foal of Fastnet Rock mare Fond du Coeur and is closely related to a number of International stakes performers including 2006 Champion older mare of Europe, Pride, who won three times at Group I level including the 2006 Hong Kong Cup (2000m).

Purchased by Bloodstock agent Paul Willets for $100,000 from her breeders’ draft at the 2021 Book 1 Sale at Karaka, the mare has now won six of her 19 starts and over $196,00 in prizemoney for her connections.

She is the 16th stakes-winner for Galileo’s champion son Churchill, who has eight yearlings to be offered in Magic Millions Book 2 starting on Monday.- LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

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Race Result - Dixon & Dunlop Anniversary Hcp Gr3 1600m

Trentham Track: Good(3) Time: 1:35.35
1
Churchillian
- 4m Churchill (IRE) x Fond Du Coeur (IRE) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: L Sutherland 53
2
0.2
Apostrophe
- 6m Tavistock (NZ) x Cape South (NZ) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: V A Colgan 54.5
NZB Karaka Book 1 $20,000
Seller: Prima Park
Buyer: Reed Racing QLD
3
1.2
Town Cryer
- 6m Tavistock (NZ) x The Speaker (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: R J Bergerson Rdr: O P Bosson 57.5
4
1.5
Sugah Sweet
- 6m Zacinto (GB) x She's Thoreal (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: B E Newman Rdr: M Cameron 53
5
2.5
Flower Of Wanaka
- 5m Burgundy (NZ) x Wanaka (NZ) (Green Perfume (USA))
Tnr: C A Bambry Rdr: M K Hudson 54.5
6
2.7
Lady Telena
- 6m Vespa (NZ) x Langara (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: Kenny Moore Rdr: U A Holmquist 55
7
2.8
Our Echo
- 7g Echoes Of Heaven (AUS) x Sakura Cluden (NZ) (Yamanin Vital (NZ))
Tnr: D B Frye Rdr: T L Newman 55
8
3
Love For All
- 6m Love Conquers All (AUS) x Shadows (AUS) (Dane Shadow (AUS))
Tnr: B E Newman Rdr: M Hashizume 53
9
3.3
Sergio
- 6g Swiss Ace (AUS) x Shanro (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: C A Bambry Rdr: C Dell 58
10
3.5
Betty Spaghetti
- 4m Stratum Star (AUS) x Swiss Beauty (NZ) (Swiss Ace (AUS))
Tnr: S Kennedy & A Furlong Rdr: W B Kennedy 53
11
5
The Hottie
- 6m Swiss Ace (AUS) x The Countessa (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: R J Patterson Rdr: C J Grylls 53
12
5.2
Royal Flower
- 5m Proisir (AUS) x Ishidanzin (NZ) (Ishiguru (USA))
Tnr: Ms G Temperton Rdr: L T Hemi 53
13
5.4
Sumi
- 6m Atlante (AUS) x Seek A Fortune (NZ) (Kaapstad (NZ))
Tnr: S A Sharrock Rdr: M J Mc Nab 54.5
14
6.9
Ears Back
- 5m Jakkalberry (IRE) x Makesmewonder (AUS) (Grass Wonder (USA))
Tnr: J C Blackadder Rdr: K A Myers 54
15
8.2
Rusty Lane
- 6g Atlante (AUS) x Whiskey Lane (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle (IRE))
Tnr: N J Quinn Rdr: Joe Doyle 53.5
16
10.7
Sindacato
- 8g Per Incanto (USA) x Wansesingyee (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: R J Bergerson Rdr: L J Allpress 53
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