Progressive Churchill Filly Celebrates Stakes Success

Ladies Church (2f Churchill - Rioticism, by Rio De La Plata) continued on an upward curve on Wednesday when running out a stylish winner of the Listed Marwell Stakes at Naas.

Fourth on debut over six furlongs, the Johnny Murtagh-trained chesnut improved to win a Tipperary maiden last month and remained over the minimum trip on her third start. Chasing the leaders under Ben Coen, she quickened with Pennine Hills to draw clear from two furlongs out and was pushed to lead approaching the final furlong. Running on strongly, she scored by two and a quarter lengths on the line.

Coen was impressed by his mount’s performance and later commented, “She was very good and she can only get better.”

Owned by Mark Dobbin, Ladies Church was bought as a yearling for £160,000. Bred by Dukes Stud and Overbury Stallions out of Listed winner Rioticism, she continues an exciting start at stud by Churchill. On this same day in 2016, the Chesham Stakes winner followed up in the Group 3 Tyros Stakes and would go on to win his next five starts; four of them coming at the highest level.