By Sean Cronin
Shadwell's Alflaila (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}–Adhwaa {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) was highly tried after posting a career high in last term's G2 Sky Bet York Stakes, finishing just off the podium behind Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in September's G1 Irish Champion Stakes and last month's G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes on seasonal return, and secured back-to-back renewals in a tactical affair on the Knavesmire.
The Owen Burrows trainee employed patient tactics and raced under a firm hold, behind all three opponents, through the initial fractions as King's Gambit (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) led at a crawl. Easing into third at the top of the straight, the 9-4 joint-favourite made continued headway under pressure and was driven out inside the final quarter-mile to deny the long-time leader by a half-length nearing the line. The 10 1/4-furlong heat became a four-furlong sprint, with fellow 9-4 joint favourite Passenger (Ulysses {Ire}) unable to strike a telling blow and finishing 3/4-of-a-length back in third, a half-length in front of Royal Rhyme (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}).
“He's an absolute star and he'd be better off with a faster pace, but everything that ran in that race would have been,” said Burrows. “Two furlongs down I thought that he was going to come and win and a furlong down I thought maybe second, but he just kicked in. He's so game and such an honest horse. The manoeuvre [taking closer order] on the bend was probably the difference between winning and losing. If they'd have kicked where he was sat [at the back] I don't think he'd have got there and that was a great move from Jim [Crowley].” Looking ahead, the trainer added, “I'll have to have a chat with Sheikha Hissa [about the G1 Juddmonte International], but he obviously does love it here. It's the third time he's won here, so it does suit him. We'll see what everybody thinks and then make a plan.”
In the aftermath, the Niarchos family's racing manager Alan Cooper reported Passenger had suffered a condylar fracture to his off fore.
Cooper told the PA news agency, “Unfortunately, he has suffered a fracture to his cannon bone, he was pulled up safely after the winning post by Richard Kingscote.
“He is on his way home and he will be seen by veterinary surgeons, he is stable and he will be treated. It is a non-displaced fracture, so hopefully all will be well.”
Alflaila digs in deep in the closing stages to land the Group 2 @SkyBet York Stakes for the second year in a row, in the hands of @JimCrowley1978 for @ojburrows74 ✅ pic.twitter.com/kmnfpbeS2P
— York Racecourse (@yorkracecourse) July 27, 2024
Pedigree Notes
Alflaila, one of his sire's 62 pattern-race winners, is one of three winners from as many foals out of Listed Montrose Fillies' S. runner-up Adhwaa (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Adhwaa's dam, Listed Cheshire Oaks winner Hammiya (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), also produced Listed Nereide-Rennen victrix Shaqira (GB) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) and is the leading performer for Listed Prix Herod winner Albacora (Ire) (Fairy King), herself a half-sister to G3 Prix de Saint-Georges winner and G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up Pont-Aven (Ire) (Try My Best). Pont-Aven produced a quartet of black-type winners headed by dual G2 Prix du Gros-Chene victrix Sainte Marine (Ire) (Kenmare {Fr}), G2 Gimcrack S.-winning sire Josr Algarhoud (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) and the stakes-producing Listed winners Traou Mad (Ire) (Barathea {Ire}) and Cap Coz (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}).
Saturday, York, Britain
SKY BET YORK STAKES-G2, £135,000, York, 7-27, 3yo/up, 10f 56yT, 2:20.36, g/f.
1–ALFLAILA (GB), 134, h, 5, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Adhwaa (GB) (SP-Eng), by Oasis Dream (GB)
2nd Dam: Hammiya (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
3rd Dam: Albacora (Ire), by Fairy King
O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (GB); T-Owen Burrows; J-Jim Crowley. £76,559. Lifetime Record: 16-7-3-0, $532,227. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–King's Gambit (Ire), 125, c, 3, Saxon Warrior (Jpn)–Pure Symmetry, by Storm Cat. (125,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Mohammed Jaber; B-Roundhill Stud (IRE); T-Harry Charlton. £29,025.
3–Passenger, 137, c, 4, Ulysses (Ire)–Dilmun, by War Front. O-Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd; B-Flaxman Holdings Ltd (KY); T-Sir Michael Stoute. £14,526.
Margins: HF, 3/4, HF. Odds: 2.25, 2.50, 2.25.
Also Ran: Royal Rhyme (Ire). Scratched: Ancient Rome.
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