Parish Hall held off the late charge of favored Power to win the $468,000 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes (Eng-I) by a half-length at Newmarket Oct. 8.
In doing so, the son of Teofilo earned an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IT) at Churchill Downs Nov. 5, since it is part of the “Win and You’re In” series sponsored by the Breeders’ Cup.
A field of nine went to the post in the Dewhurst, with Aidan O’Brien’s Power favored off of his strong score in the Goffs National Stakes (Ire-I) in his last start. Parish Hall, who only had a maiden victory to his credit going into the Dewhurst, was dismissed by the bettors at 20-1.
Spiritual Star broke a bit awkwardly but quickly regained his footing and was sent to the front by Jimmy Fortune. He was soon joined by Ektihaam and Bronterre, with Parish Hall and Power sitting just behind them.
Spiritual Star continued to hold a slight lead through the early stages. With two furlongs to run, both Bronterre and Parish Hall made their moves, with Parish Hall charging to a slight lead under Kevin Manning. Bronterre drew alongside Parish Hall, as Most Improved rallied strongly to move into third under Frankie Dettori. Power was under an all-out drive by Ryan Moore, as the colt charged between horses to challenge for the lead.
Inside the final furlong it was Parish Hall who clung to the lead, with Power making one last attempt to catch the leader. As they crossed the wire it was Parish Hall in front of Power for the victory, with Most Improved just a head further back in third. Bronterre was fourth, another half-length further back in a blanket finish.
The final time for the seven-furlong contest was 1:23.81 over the good to firm going.
Trainer Jim Bolger thinks very highly of his colt, saying after the race, “He’s up there with my three previous winners of this race (his sire Teofilo, New Approach and Intense Focus) and that will be it for the year. He’s a very sound horse and I’d be thinking of Epsom for him, and after that the Curragh.”
Parish Hall was bred in Ireland by his trainer, and races in the silks of Bolger’s wife, Jackie. Parish Hall is the first foal out of Halla Siamsa, a daughter of Montjeu.