Tough Cambridge mare Churchillian has run her final race, with the multiple Group Three winner retired ahead of the upcoming breeding season.
The Tony Pike-trained daughter of Churchill proved a model of durability and consistency, winning 11 of her 28 starts.
Her three black-type victories included the Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) at Trentham in 2024, while she enjoyed arguably her best campaign earlier this year with victories in the Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) and Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m).
"Obviously, with the stud season just around the corner, the owners decided it was a good time to sell," Pike said.
"She's getting vetted, and the owners have accepted a private offer.
"She was a really tough mare. She overcame a couple of injury setbacks throughout her career and always managed to bounce back from those.
"She was maybe not a Group One mare, but just a genuine stakes-class horse. Not many win 11 of 28, it's an impressive achievement."
Bred by Pencarrow Thoroughbreds, Churchillian was purchased by Paul Willetts for $100,000 from Pencarrow Stud's draft at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
She is by Coolmore's dual Guineas winner Churchill out of the Fastnet Rock mare Fond du Coeur and descends from a high-class international family headed by Pride, whose three Group One victories included the Gr.1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m).
"She's got a lovely pedigree being by Churchill out of a Fastnet Rock mare and from the international family of triple Group One winner Pride," Pike said.
"She's got all the credentials to make it as a broodmare."
While Churchillian departs the Cambridge stable, Pike is looking forward to the return of Cannon Hill.
"He will likely resume in the Open 1400m at Ellerslie on the 19th of September," Pike said.
"He trialled up nicely at Te Rapa, taking good improvement from that trial, and looks like he's in for another good preparation."
Pike will also be represented by a number of promising gallopers at Taupo on Friday, including Ellendale, Truly Divine and All On Black.
Ellendale will resume over 1400m and Pike expects the filly to continue improving as she steps up in distance later in the season.
"She's a beautiful type of filly and is going to be even better once she progresses through the season and gets up over further," he said.
"She has trialled very well, and I think 1400m fresh-up should suit her well.
"If she can get a bit of luck from that awkward barrier, I think she's going to put in a good performance with plenty of improvement to come."
Truly Divine also returns as a stronger three-year-old after showing promise during her juvenile season.
"She's come back well this prep," Pike said. "She ran well at two, but it looks like she's improved into a good-looking three-year-old.
"She's another who has trialled well, but unfortunately she also has a sticky gate. She has got good gate speed, so hopefully she doesn't have to do too much work from that outside barrier.
"She'll be a chance in what's a very strong maiden three-year-old race."
All On Black is another to step out on Friday, albeit as a distance short of his best.
"He's another lovely type of horse and I see 1200m probably being on the shorter side for him," Pike said.
"He's another one that's drawn poorly. We've already scratched him on a wet track and from a bad gate, so we need to get his preparation underway.
"We'll probably ride him a little bit conservatively from that outside gate. He'll find the line well and we will see improvement once he gets up over further." – NZ Racing Desk
