Exciting New 2YO G2 Winner for Churchill

The Group II Royal Lodge Stakes (7f) at Newmarket on Saturday was won by talented colt The Foxes (2c Churchill x Tanaghum, by Darshaan), who improved from a last start maiden win at Goodwood to score by half a length.

Trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by David Probert, The Foxes is held in high regard and is entered for the Classics next year as well as the Group I Doncaster Vertem Futurity Trophy next month.

“It was a tactical race. We thought they would go a stronger gallop than that but he has done very well to come from that position to get the job done. I love the way The Foxes galloped out head down,” said Balding.

“I would think that would be it (for the year). He has got an entry in the Vertem Futurity Trophy but I think he is a horse that will go on next year, so we might prefer to wait.”

Bought for 440,000 guineas at Tattersalls October Book Yearling Sale by Sackville Donald, The Foxes has won two of four starts and is a full-brother to this year’s stakes-winner Perotan.

Bred by Barronstown Stud, he becomes the sixth stakes-winner among 11 winners from blue hen Tanaghum, whose other stakes-winning offspring are Group I winner Matterhorn, Group II winner Bangkok, Group III winner Tactic and stakes-winner Yaazy.

The Foxes is the eighth stakes-winner for Churchill, who stands in Australia at a fee of $22,000.