By Tom Frary
Owen Burrows is renowned for his Sir Michael Stoute-like patience with the yard's leading prospects, but he may not have to wait as long as usual with his exciting new recruit Falakeyah (GB) (New Bay {GB}–Alaflaak, by War Front) lighting up a dour Thursday afternoon at Wolverhampton. A granddaughter of the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Lahudood (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) from the family of the stable's luminary Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and his brilliant full-brother Baaeed (GB), Shadwell's blueblood was a warm order at even-money for the first division of the extended mile maiden.
Quickly making up for a tardy start to travel easily in mid-division for Jim Crowley, the February-foaled bay cruised to the fore approaching the furlong pole with the motor still idling before being shaken up to assert her superiority. Hitting the line with 5 1/2 lengths to spare over Life Is Rosie (GB) (Lightning Spear {GB}), she became the third TDN Rising Star for her sire whose others Alcantor (Fr) and New Energy (Ire) proved group 1 performers.
“The hardest thing was pulling her up–she wanted to go round again! She did it very professionally,” Crowley said. “She's a forward-going filly and, mentally, the more racing the better she'll be. It looks like we'll have a bit of fun with her next year.”
Eye-catcher! Falakeyah is impressive on debut as she powers home at @WolvesRaces for @JimCrowley1978 and @OwenBurrowsRace… pic.twitter.com/GVBG3rGh4B
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 21, 2024
Falakeyah is the second foal out of the unraced dam Alaflaak, whose first was the useful mile handicapper Rowayeh (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and whose yearling colt is a full-brother to that runner. Her dam, the aforementioned Lahudood, was champion grass mare in 2007 courtesy of her exploits at the Breeders' Cup and in the GI Flower Bowl Invitational and she has produced the G2 Auckland Cup winner Mahrajaan (Kitten's Joy) but more importantly the operation's listed-winning prize broodmare Aghareed (Kingmambo).
Aghareed looked to have done Shadwell proud with the aforementioned Hukum, who was a smart middle-distance stalwart before her next son of Sea The Stars hit the track. Before Owen Burrows's stalwart peaked when capturing the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes, Baaeed had ripped through the 2021 and 2022 seasons with a series of top-flight wins to establish himself as one of the recent greats. Both Baaeed and Hukum and even Lahudood took time to fully mature and reach their zenith, so the portents are strong that Falakeyah could be set for an exciting Classic campaign showing such dash on her juvenile debut.
2nd-Wolverhampton, £6,300, Mdn, 11-21, 2yo, f, 8f 142y (AWT), 1:49.56, st.
FALAKEYAH (GB), f, 2, by New Bay (GB)
1st Dam: Alaflaak, by War Front
2nd Dam: Lahudood (GB), by Singspiel (Ire)
3rd Dam: Rahayeb (GB), by Arazi
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $4,305. O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Limited (GB); T-Owen Burrows. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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