Coolmore shuttler Churchill (IRE) unleashed another stylish debut winner in Ireland overnight with River Thames coming from behind to win over 1m at Punchestown.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Wayne Lordan, River Thames holds entries for upcmining Group II races the Beresford Stakes and Royal Lodge Stakes as well as the Group I Donctaser Futurity Trophy in October.
“A fine big colt, river Thames always went nicely at home. I struggled a little bit in the first half of the race and he just showed his inexperience on the track,”said Wayne Lordan.
“From halfway he started to come home well and I felt like he won well at the line. I won snug at the line. He's quite a big two-year-old so next year is hopefully going to be a nice year for him.”
River Thames was bought for 320,000 guineas by MV Magnier at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 and runs for the Coolmore partners.
He is the first winner from winning Dark Angel mare Where’s Sue, a full sister to Group III winner Angel’s Hideaway.
With 16 first crop winners including two stakes-winners and two more stakes performers, Churchill is making his presence felt in Europe ahead of his first Australian runners this season.
Churchill is currently at Coolmore Australia standing at a fee of $22,000.
