Progressive Filly The Latest Stakes Winner By The Gurkha

The progressive Invite (3f The Gurkha - Katiyra, by Peintre Celebre) gained her first black-type success when leading home a 1-2 for her stable and Coolmore sires in the Listed Stand Cup Stakes at Chester.

Stepping up to a mile and a half on her first start for Andrew Balding, the Team Valor-owned bay raced towards the back of the field under John Egan. Making headway with four furlongs left to race, she was ridden to lead inside the final furlong and kept on to beat stablemate Alounak (Camelot) by two lengths.

John Egan later gave all credit to his progressive mount, saying, “It was easy for me, she's a good filly.”

Bred by RJB Bloodstock, the now three-time winner holds an entry in the Group 1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes next month. Saturday’s Stakes win provided an important update for her brother by Churchill, who sells at the Tattersalls Book 1 Sale.