By Sean Cronin
Owen Burrows snagged the 2020 edition of Doncaster's Simon Piggott Memorial EBF Novice S. with subsequent G2 Champagne S. runner-up Albasheer (Ire) (Shamardal) and he has another contender for the upper levels after Brook Farm Bloodstock's War Rooms (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}–Apticanti, by Aptitude) powered to 'TDN Rising Stardom' with an impressive debut display in the seven-furlong test.
The 11-2 chance raced in mid division after a stuttering start. Easing closer to the front rank once past halfway, he surged to the front in taking fashion approaching the final furlong and was ridden clear in the closing stages to easily account for User Amistoso (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) by an impressive 4 3/4 lengths. Subsequent G1 Dewhurst S. runner-up and G3 Goldene Peitsche victor Dubawi Legend (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) attained 'TDN Rising Star' status in the 2021 renewal of this contest. War Rooms becomes the second Rising Star for his sire, whose first was River Thames (Ire).
“He gave me a good feel on the way to post and they went a strong pace, I thought, on that [soft] ground,” said winning rider Jim Crowley. “He stayed very well and galloped out past the line really well. He's been doing things nicely at home and he'd have learnt plenty today. He's got a good mind on him and he'll be a lovely horse for next year. He's a rangy horse and he'll be quite smart over a mile-and-a-quarter next year.”
War Rooms, half-brother to a weanling filly by Australia (GB), is the seventh of eight live foals produced by a half-sister to G1 Dewhurst S.-winning sire Distant Music (Distant View) and G3 Lancashire Oaks third New Orchid (Quest for Fame {GB}). Descendants of the May-foaled bay's second dam Musicanti (Nijinsky II), herself a half-sister to MGISW sire Vanlandingham (Cox's Ridge), also include three-time Group 1 winner Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), G1 Haydock Sprint Cup heroine African Rose (GB) (Observatory) and MGSW sire Calyx (GB) (Kingman {GB}).
3rd-Doncaster, £6,800, Nov, 7-27, 2yo, 7fT, 1:30.21, sf.
WAR ROOMS (IRE), c, 2, by Churchill (Ire)
1st Dam: Apticanti, by Aptitude
2nd Dam: Musicanti, by Nijinsky II
3rd Dam: Populi, by Star Envoy
(200,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $4,752. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Brook Farm Bloodstock; B-Lynch Bages & Camas Park Stud (IRE); T-Owen Burrows; J-Jim Crowley.
Impressive on debut! Churchill colt War Rooms looks pretty smart and wins first up for @JimCrowley1978 and @ojburrows74 at @DoncasterRaces… pic.twitter.com/sIhXYdzpoI
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 27, 2023
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