Snaffles (Churchill) Impresses At Down Royal

Churchill Colt Impressive

Galileo’s champion son Churchill added a smart new winner to his tally on Friday in promising colt Snaffles (2c Churchill x Anabelle Ja, by Singspiel), who holds entries for upcoming Group races.

Trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Shane Crosse, Snaffles was favourite for the seven furlong maiden at Down Royal following an encouraging debut fifth at Leopardstown last month.

Snaffles strolled clear to win by five lengths eased down and has entries for both the Group II Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown on September 11 and the Group II Curragh Beresford Stakes on September 25.

“Snaffles was very good. He has improved from his debut and he showed a good turn of foot, the penny is beginning to drop with him and he can improve again,” said Shane Crosse.

Snaffles is a half-brother to Group II winner Libranno and two more Group placed horses being the fifth winner from good producing Singspiel mare Annabelle Ja.

Snaffles is the 15th first crop winner for Churchill, who has already sires the stakes-winners Ladies church and Vadeni as well as two more Black Type place-getters.

Churchill stands in Australia this spring at a fee of $22,000.