First Australian Group 1 Winner For Churchill

Churchill added an Australian Group 1 to his fantastic year so far when Attrition (4c Churchill - Queen’s Kiss, by French Deputy) captured the $1million Toorak Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday.

Mitchell Freedman’s charge was narrowly denied in the Group 1 Australian Guineas in March and suffered another narrow defeat in a Group 2 last month. Partnered by Beau Mertens for the first time at Caulfield, he enjoyed a change of fortune when striking late to beat second favourite Antino by a short head.

“We always knew he was up to the level,” said Freedman after the race. “Back to handicap, aided by a brilliant ride by a jockey that is well and truly on the rise – how good. It just worked out perfect.”

Freedman bought Attrition as a yearling for $180,000 and the bay is now owned by a partnership including Halo Racing Services and McGrath Racing Syndicate. The exciting colt was bred by the Toorak Thoroughbred Breeding Trust out of Queen’s Kiss, who has a yearling colt by Churchill.

Churchill has enjoyed a terrific season headlined by multiple Group 1 winner Blue Rose Cen and is now responsible for ten Group winners.