By Sean Cronin
Shadwell's ultra-consistent Alflaila (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}–Adhwaa {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) had not been sighted since annexing October's G3 Darley S. at Newmarket, but was ready, willing and able to deliver a decisive burst for a career best in Saturday's G2 Sky Bet York S. on the Knavesmire.
The Owen Burrows trainee, who also saluted in last term's G3 Strensall S. at this venue, employed patient tactics from flagfall and settled into a smooth rhythm with just one rival behind until turning for home. Taking closer order in the straight, the 5-1 chance quickened stylishly to challenge inside the final furlong en route to a half-length verdict from the dual Group 1-placed G2 Prix Eugene Adam victor My Prospero (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}).
“It was a very good training performance and, obviously, Owen Burrows' horses are running very well at the moment,” said rider Andrea Atzeni. “Now that I'm a freelance, I was able to commit to the ride. I have sat on him twice at home as Owen was very keen for me to get to know the horse. He hasn't run for a while, but his work was good. With the likes of My Prospero and Royal Champion running, it was a competitive race for such a small field and it was a very good race.”
Pedigree Notes
Alflaila, one of his sire's 56 pattern-race winners, is one of two winners from as many runners 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}). Adhwaa has also produced the hitherto unraced 3-year-old filly Kick A Rhyme (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}).
Alflaila is up in time to win a thrilling renewal of the feature Group 2 @SkyBet York Stakes, with the four-year-old defying a 294-day absence to score under @Atzenijockey for trainer @ojburrows74 🏆 pic.twitter.com/7VRCvRMmX8
— York Racecourse (@yorkracecourse) July 29, 2023
Saturday, York, Britain
SKY BET YORK S.-G2, £125,000, York, 7-29, 3yo/up, 10f 56yT, 2:10.17, gd.
1–ALFLAILA (GB), 134, c, 4, 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-Andrea Atzeni. £70,888. Lifetime Record: 13-6-3-0, $339,313. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–My Prospero (Ire), 134, c, 4, Iffraaj (GB)–My Titania (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire). O/B-Sunderland Holding Inc (IRE); T-William Haggas. £26,875.
3–Royal Champion (Ire), 134, g, 5, Shamardal–Emirates Queen (GB), by Street Cry (Ire). O/B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (IRE); T-Roger Varian. £13,450.
Margins: HF, 1, 1 1/4. Odds: 5.00, 1.00, 4.50.
Also Ran: Checkandchallenge (GB), Mashhoor (GB).
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