Churchill’s Blue Rose Cen Wins Group 3 On Return

Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Blue Rose Cen (3f Churchill - Queen Blossom, by Jeremy) will be aimed at the Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches after making a winning seasonal return in the Group 3 Prix de la Grotte at Longchamp.

The Christopher Head-trained bay posted four wins as a juvenile, with her Group 3 and Group 1 victories coming over Sunday’s course and distance of a mile. Sent off the even-money favourite on return, she was ridden to make all by Aurelien Lemaitre and was shaken up approaching the two furlong marker. Keeping on well under hands and heels, she led by a length and a half on the line.

“I am delighted with the performance,” the winning trainer commented. “Now she has a race under her belt, she will come on for the run hopefully and head to the French Guineas next.”

Owned and bred by Yeguada Centurion, Blue Rose Cen is the first foal out of dual Group 3 winner Queen Blossom. Along with dual Group 1 winner Vadeni (Churchill), she led a terrific 2022 season for Churchill.