Churchill Colt Powers To Maiden Success

Il Grande Gatsby (2c Churchill - Irene Watts, by Miswaki Tern) produced a smart turn of foot to provide first season sire Churchill with success in Wednesday’s seven furlong maiden in Rome.

Stepping up in trip following his debut second last month, the Mario Giorgi-trained colt chased the leaders under Samuele Diana and produced a challenge with two furlongs left to run. Quickening home well, he led in the final furlong and ran on to win by a length and a half.

Owned by TBA Srls, Il Grande Gatsby was bred by out of Group 3 performer Irene Watts, who has a yearling filly by Rock Of Gibraltar.

Churchill himself got off the mark at the second attempt, in the Chesham Stakes no less, and went on to win all his other starts that season, registering five Stakes wins; two of them at Group 1 level. The beautifully-bred son of Galileo returned to complete the English and Irish Guineas double in fine style.