Gunship was secured by CHC, Qatar Racing and David Howden at last year’s Goffs Orby Sale
The richly pedigreed Gunship made the perfect start to his career when fending off rivals to land a Novice Stakes on debut at Newcastle.
The China Horse Club / Qatar Racing / David Howden raced colt was gritty and determined when defying a pair of fast finishing rivals having raced on the pace from a long way out. The James Ferguson trained juvenile is held in high regard but has always been seen as a prospect for 2025 when he will have had more time to grow into his frame and over more ground.
The handsome colt holds an entry in next year’s G1 Irish Derby and while he has much to do to realize a start in the time-honoured race there is no reason not to dream bolding on the strength of his win and pedigree.
Gunship is no less than a half-brother to 2019 G1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner and now sire Phoenix of Spain as well as a further three group of listed placegetters among eight other winners. He is also a son of champion sire Sea The Stars, sire of no less than 22 individual G1 winners including fellow champion Baaeed and 2016 Irish Derby winner Harzand.
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China Horse Club struck with purpose on the opening day of trading at the 2024 Tattersalls December Mare Sale when securing the attractive mare Sound Angela. The five-year-old stamped her quality in the Listed John Musker Stakes in September and franked that display with a fast finishing second in the G3 Pride Stakes at Newmarket at her following start.