Chillhi

The five-year-old Churchill gelding Chillhi has recently joined the all-conquering James Owen yard in Newmarket. Already a two-time winner on the Flat for previous connections, he is going to be a fun dual-purpose horse for Deva Racing.

Starting out as a two-year-old, Chillhi was the four-length winner of a 7f Newcastle maiden on his second outing and returned to the same track to win a 1m nursery later the same year. In addition to those wins, he also ran in the Gr.3 Acomb Stakes behind subsequent Gr.1 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean and was fifth in a valuable sales race at York.

Having reached a peak official rating of 89 as a juvenile, Chillhi was gelded ahead of his three-year-old campaign and stepped up to middle-distances. He finished third in a 1m4½f handicap at Chester and was beaten less than two lengths in a Class 3 handicap over the same trip at Newcastle. More good efforts followed last season, notably when second in another 1m4½f handicap at Chester. 

Chillhi had already proven his stamina for 1m6f on the Flat, so a switch to hurdles was always on the cards. He finished an encouraging third on his debut in that sphere at Market Rasen in July of last year, with the winner going on to triumph at Listed level at Galway on her next start. 

He has had five more runs over hurdles, finishing second at Cartmel on the most recent occasion, and is sure to win from his mark of 95 soon. Similarly, his current Flat rating of 62 vastly underestimates his ability and his most recent fourth in that sphere at Salisbury was a sure sign that he is ready to win again soon.

Just as important as his decreasing handicap rating, Chillhi has joined a trainer who is well-known for getting the most out of horses inherited from other yards. James Owen has trained a phenomenal number of winners under both codes since taking out a full licence little over two years ago, and has transformed numerous modestly-rated horses into winning machines. Recent examples of his prowess include High Court Judge, Overnight Oats and Tara Iti.

We look forward to Chillhi becoming the next horse on that increasingly long list.