Churchill’s Heavens Gate Gains Deserved Group Win

Heavens Gate (2f Churchill – Itqaan, by Danzig) added a well-deserved Stakes win to her terrific season when justifying favouritism in Sunday’s Weld Park Stakes at the Curragh.

Placed in the Group 3 Albany Stakes and Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes earlier this season, Aidan O’Brien’s filly landed a valuable prize in the Ballyhane Stakes last month and stepped up to seven furlongs for the first time at the weekend.

Positioned in midfield in the early stages of the Group 3, she was pushed along approaching the two furlong pole and ran on to lead a furlong later. Ridden out, she kept on well to deny Fiery Lucy by a neck, while Barnavara (Calyx) finishing third.

“She deserved that, she's after having two very big runs,” O’Brien said after the race. The Breeders’ Cup could be next for Heavens Gate, the trainer added. “It's very possible. Round the bends, loads of speed, that's what you need.”

Owned by Coolmore partners, the daughter of Churchill is the best performer bred by Whisperview Trading out of Itqaan. She completed a treble on the card for Ballydoyle, while The Euphrates made it a four-timer in the valuable Irish Cesarewitch.