By Sean Cronin
Coolmore and Westerberg's 2-year-old colt Alexandroupolis (Ire) (Camelot {GB}–Jazz Cat {Ire}, by Tamayuz {GB}), who is a 240,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 graduate loaded with Group 1 entries, was let go at odds of 17-2 for Tuesday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden over an extended mile at Galway and displayed a rare turn of foot in the closing stages to outclass overmatched opposition for a 'TDN Rising Star'. The eventual winner settled in a midfield seventh through the early fractions of this debut. Taking closer order rounding the home turn, he quickened in impressive fashion to launch his challenge between rivals passing the furlong marker and opened up stylishly in the closing stages to easily deny stablemate Espionage (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by 1 3/4 lengths.
“He's a nice colt, he's been showing a bit at home and Wayne [Lordan] gave him a lovely ride,” commented Ballydoyle's Chris Armstrong. “It can be tricky here first time out, but Wayne was patient on him. He found the gaps at the end and hit the line well. He should have no problem stepping up to stakes company at the back end of this year and hopefully will be a nice middle-distance horse for next year. He has a very good staying pedigree and Galway is a lovely place to start them at this time of year.”
Alexandroupolis–whose catalogue of entries include the G1 Dewhurst S., G1 Futurity Trophy and next year's G1 Derby–is the third of five foals and second scorer produced by a full-sister to G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis victrix and G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest runner-up Thawaany (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}). His dam Jazz Cat (Ire), herself a daughter of G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine Chelsea Rose (Ire) (Desert King {Ire}), is also a half-sister to G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 St Leger hero Kew Gardens (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), G3 Munster Oaks victrix Snow (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), G1 Grand Prix de Paris second and G1 Irish Derby third Wordsworth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Listed International Trial S. runner-up Hamlool (Ire) (Red Ransom). The February-foaled bay is full to a yearling filly, who is slated to sell as Lot 553 at next month's Tattersalls October Book 2 sale, and half to a weanling colt by Churchill (Ire).
1st-Galway, €16,000, Mdn, 9-6, 2yo, 8f 123yT, 1:54.85, sf.
ALEXANDROUPOLIS (IRE), c, 2, by Camelot (GB)
1st Dam: Jazz Cat (Ire), by Tamayuz (GB)
2nd Dam: Chelsea Rose (Ire), by Desert King (Ire)
3rd Dam: Cinnamon Rose, by Trempolino
1ST-TIME STARTER. (240,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Mrs Fitri Hay (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $9,534. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
This is a serious performance from Alexandroupolis
Named after a Greek city, this 240,000gns purchase overcomes trouble in running to hose up in some style at @Galway_Races under @waynemlordan, leading home a @Ballydoyle 1-2 in the process pic.twitter.com/SyOG0erQDC
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 6, 2022
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