Winter and Churchill land O’Brien a weekend Guineas double at Newmarket

The success came on the back of O’Brien also winning Saturday’s 2000 Guineas at the same venue with Churchill, this having also previously won both the Classics in 2005 and 2012.

Triumph for Winter denied Ryan Moore a Guineas double as stablemate and race favourite Rhododendron came in second two lengths back, with Frankie Dettori third on Daban.

The Irish trainer, who has won 13 of the last 27 British Classics, fielded three runners in a bid to win the fillies’ Classic, with Hydrangea his other runner.

While Rhododendron endured something of a troubled run, Winter stayed out of trouble wide of the field. Lordan guided his mount to the front entering the final furlong and the pair decisively held off the challenge of Rhododendron who came home strongly.

In Saturday’s 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, race favourite Churchill did not disappoint in the first Classic of the 2017 Flat season with another useful showing.

With Ryan Moore at the helm, Churchill, last season’s champion two-year-old, was sitting patiently in third at the halfway stage, almost stalking the early leaders and waiting for the right moment to strike. And when it came they did in dominant fashion, managing to get the first run on his main rivals as he won by a length from Barney Roy, who came in third ahead of third-favourite Al Wukair.

Victory rewarded trainer Aidan O’Brien with a record-breaking eighth win in the Classic, as well as landing jockey Moore his second win in the race, having ridden O’Brien’s previous winner Gleneagles, in 2015.

Dream Castle and Colts Eminent were fifth and sixth respectively over the mile distance.

Speaking afterwards, Moore said Churchill, who was making his three-year-old debut at Newmarket, had “everything you want in a racehorse”.
“He has a magnificent mind, he travels, has speed and loads of class.

“He was always racing comfortably – he was there a little bit early. He always feels like there’s more when you ask him.”

O’Brien added: “I was very worried about it being his first run. He’s a big horse and we knew he would come on for the run. Ryan gave him a lovely ride.

“Everyone at home was very happy with the horse which is why we took the chance to come first time, so I’m delighted.”