Alpha Centauri (horse)

Last updated

Alpha Centauri
Owner Niarchos Family.svg
Racing silks of Niarchos Family
Sire Mastercraftsman
Grandsire Danehill Dancer
DamAlpha Lupi
Damsire Rahy
SexFilly
Foaled28 February 2015 [1]
CountryIreland
Colour Grey
Breeder Niarchos family
OwnerNiarchos family
Trainer Jessica Harrington
Record10: 6-2-0
Earnings££1,254,827
Major wins
Fillies' Sprint Stakes (2017)
Irish 1,000 Guineas (2018)
Coronation Stakes (2018)
Falmouth Stakes (2018)
Prix Jacques Le Marois (2018)
Awards
Cartier Champion Three-year-old Filly (2018)
Irish Horse of the Year (2018)
World's Best three-year-old filly (2018)

Alpha Centauri (foaled 28 February 2015) is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. In 2018 she recorded four consecutive Group 1 races, namely the Irish 1,000 Guineas, Coronation Stakes, Falmouth Stakes and Prix Jacques Le Marois.

Contents

Background

Alpha Centauri is a "massive" grey mare bred in Ireland by the Niarchos family. [2] She was sent into training with Jessica Harrington at Moone, in County Kildare. She was ridden in all of her races by Colm O'Donoghue.

Her sire Mastercraftsman, from whom she inherited her colour, was a top class performer whose wins included the Phoenix Stakes, National Stakes, Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes. As a breeding stallion, his other offspring include Kingston Hill, Amazing Maria and The Grey Gatsby. [3] Her dam Alpha Lupi was unraced, but came from a very successful female bloodline which has been in the ownership of the Niarchos family for several generations: she was a daughter of East of the Moon who was in turn a daughter of Miesque. [4]

Racing career

2017: two-year-old season

Alpha Centauri made her racecourse debut on 1 May in a maiden race over six furlongs at Naas Racecourse and was made the 2/1 against thirteen opponents. She led from the start, steadily increased her advantage in the last quarter mile and won "easily" by three lengths from the Aidan O'Brien-trained Actress. [5] Twenty days later, over the same course and distance, the filly started 8/11 favourite for the Group 3 Fillies'Sprint Stakes and recorded another easy win, beating Actress by five lengths. [6] A month later she was sent to England and started favourite in a twenty-runner field for the Albany Stakes but despite finishing strongly he failed to overhaul the French filly Different League and was beaten a neck into second place. After a break of well over two months the filly returned in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes over seven furlongs at the Curragh and was again made favourite. She raced in second place for most of the way but faded in the closing stages and came home fifth of the eight runners behind Happily.

2018: three-year-old season

At Leopardstown Racecourse on 14 April Alpha Centauri began her second season 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes and finished tenth of the thirteen runners behind Who's Steph in a race run on heavy ground. In the Irish 1000 Guineas over one mile at the Curragh on 27 May, the filly started the 12/1 fifth choice in the betting behind Happily, Soliloquy (Nell Gwyn Stakes), Who's Steph and Clemmie (Cheveley Park Stakes). Alpha Centauri was settled in mid-division as Could It Be Love, a 33/1 outsider who was presumed to be running as a pacemaker for the Aidan O'Brien stable's more fancied runners set off in front and opened up a long lead. Approaching the final furlong Could It Be Love was still in front and looked to be on the verge of a huge upset victory but Alpha Centauri produced a strong late run, gained the advantage in the last hundred yards and won by one and three quarter lengths. [7]

On 22 June at Royal Ascot Alpha Centauri started 11/4 favourite for the Coronation Stakes in a twelve-runner field which included Clemmie, Billesdon Brook, Teppal (Poule d'Essai des Pouliches), Threading (Lowther Stakes) and Cour de Beaute (Prix Imprudence). Having settled towards the middle of the field she overtook the front-running Veracious approaching the final furlong and accelerated away to win by six lengths in "very impressive" style. [8] Harrington, who was recording her first Group 1 win in Britain said "Colm was very confident on her and she settled great. I thought he'd got to the front a bit soon but the further she went, the better she went." [9]

Three weeks later, Alpha Centauri was matched against older fillies and mares in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse. Starting at odds of 4/9 she took the lead after the first quarter mile and was never in danger of defeat, drawing away in the closing stages to win "easily" by four and a half lengths from Altyn Orda. [10] In the paddock after the race Harrington commented "She's just an amazing filly. And the lovely thing about her, she's so relaxed, she doesn't get upset, she comes in here, has her photograph taken and goes away. I sometimes think, before a race, she's almost too relaxed". [11]

The Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville Racecourse on 12 August saw Alpha Centauri tested against male opposition. She went off the 9/10 favourite against ten opponents including With You (Prix Rothschild), Intellogent (Prix Jean Prat), Recoletos (Prix d'Ispahan), Romanised (Irish 2,000 Guineas) and Accidental Agent (Queen Anne Stakes). She tracked the front-running With You before taking the lead 500 metres and drew away to win by two and a half lengths from Recoletos. In response to the performance the official Irish Handicapper gave her a rating of 124, making her the highest-rated Irish-trained three-year-old filly since Ridgewood Pearl in 1995. [12]

In the July and August 2018 editions of the World's Best Racehorse Rankings Alpha Centauri was rated the best three-year-old filly in the world. [13]

On 15 September Alpha Centauri started the 30/100 favourite for the Matron Stakes over one mile at Leopardstown. After turning into the straight in third place she made good progress to move into second but was unable to overhaul the British-trained filly Laurens and was beaten three quarters of a length. She appeared to veer left a furlong out and a veterinary examination revealed that she had sustained a serious injury to her fetlock. On the day after the race it was announced that the filly had been retired from racing. Harrington commented "I've had an amazing summer with her... It was incredible to have her, and no-one can take away what she's done. For her to sustain the injury she did yesterday – and everyone could see when she did it – and still run on to finish second to another very, very good filly says it all". [14]

At the 2018 Cartier Awards, Alpha Centauri was named Champion Three-year-old Filly. [15] In December she was voted Horse of the Year at the Horse Racing Ireland awards. [16] In the 2018 World's Best Racehorse Rankings Alpha Centauri was rated the best three-year-old filly in the world (level with Almond Eye) and the eleventh best horse of any age or sex.

Pedigree

Pedigree of Alpha Centauri (IRE), grey filly, 2015 [1]
Sire
Mastercraftsman (IRE)
2006
Danehill Dancer (IRE)
1993
Danehill (USA) Danzig
Razyana
Mira Adonde (USA) Sharpen Up (GB)
Lettre d'Amour
Starlight Dreams (USA)
1995
Black Tie Affair (IRE) Miswaki (USA)
Hat Tab Girl (USA)
Reves Celestes Lyphard
Tobira Celeste
Dam
Alpha Lupi (IRE)
2004
Rahy (USA)
1985
Blushing Groom (FR) Red God (USA)
Runaway Bride (GB)
Glorious Song (CAN) Halo (USA)
Ballade (USA)
East of the Moon (USA)
1991
Private Account Damascus
Numbered Account
Miesque Nureyev
Pasadoble (Family 20) [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elusive Kate</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Elusive Kate was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. She was one of the leading two-year-old fillies in Europe in 2011 when her wins included the Prix du Calvados and the Prix Marcel Boussac. In 2012 she won the Prix Rothschild and was placed in the Falmouth Stakes, Prix Jacques Le Marois, Sun Chariot Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. In 2013 she won the Falmouth Stakes and a second Prix Rothschild.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sky Lantern (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Sky Lantern is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. She was one of the leading European two-year-old fillies of 2012 when she won the Moyglare Stud Stakes in Ireland. In May 2013 she won the 200th running of the 1000 Guineas. She followed up with a win in the Coronation Stakes, and recovered from a controversial defeat by Elusive Kate in the Falmouth Stakes to record a fourth Group One win in the Sun Chariot Stakes. She remained in training as a four-year-old but failed to reproduce her best form, finishing unplaced in three races.

Indian Ink is an Irish-bred British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare who was the highest-rated filly trained in the United Kingdom in 2007. As a two-year-old in 2006, she won three of her seven races, culminating in a victory in the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes. In the following year she was beaten in her first two races, but then defeated a strong international field by six lengths to win the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. Throughout her racing career she demonstrated a marked preference for soft ground. At the end of her racing career she was sold for 2,000,000 guineas and retired to stud.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Again (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Again was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She was one of the leading Irish two-year-old fillies of 2008, when she won three of her five races including the Debutante Stakes and the Moyglare Stud Stakes. She recorded her most important win when taking the Irish 1,000 Guineas on her three-year-old debut, but was beaten in her three subsequent races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legatissimo</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Legatissimo is a British-bred Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. After showing some promise as a juvenile, she showed marked improvement in the spring of 2015 and recorded her first major success in the 1000 Guineas. On her next appearance she was narrowly beaten when favourite for The Oaks. After another narrow defeat in the Pretty Polly Stakes she returned to top form to win the Nassau Stakes and the Matron Stakes

Exclusive was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. As a juvenile, she won a strongly-contested race on her debut and the finished third in the Fillies' Mile. As a three-year-old in 1998 she finished third in the classic 1000 Guineas before recording her biggest win in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. After her retirement from racing, she became a very successful broodmare, being the ancestor of major winners including Chic and Integral.

Music Show is an Irish-bred British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare, who was rated one of the best fillies of her generation in the world in 2010. She showed great promise as a two-year-old in 2009, when she won three of her four races including the Group Two Rockfel. In the following year, she performed consistently in the highest class, winning the Nell Gwyn Stakes and the Falmouth Stakes, as well as finishing second in the Prix Rothschild, third in the Irish 1000 Guineas and Matron Stakes and fourth in the Coronation Stakes and Sun Chariot Stakes. In the following year, she failed to reproduce her best form and was well-beaten in all five of her starts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alice Springs (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Alice Springs is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old in 2015 she failed to win a group race but showed consistently high-class form, winning a valuable sales race, finishing second in the Silver Flash Stakes and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, third in the Moyglare Stud Stakes and fourth in the Cheveley Park Stakes. In the following year she was beaten in her first four races but finished third in both the 1000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes. She then won three Group One races in her next four starts taking the Falmouth Stakes, Matron Stakes and Sun Chariot Stakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amazing Maria</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Amazing Maria is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. She showed great promise as a two-year-old when winning the Prestige Stakes but failed to win or place in the following season when she made only three appearances. After a change of training stable she returned as a four-year-old ad reached her peak in the summer of 2015. She won the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot and then recorded Group One victories in the Falmouth Stakes and the Prix Rothschild. She remained in training in 2016 but failed to win in five races and was retired at the end of the season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Happily (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Happily is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old in 2017 she was one of best of her generation in Europe, winning four of her seven races including two at Group 1 level. After finishing unplaced on her debut she won a maiden race and the Group 3 Silver Flash Stakes before running second to her stablemate Magical in the Debutante Stakes. She reversed the form to beat Magical in the Moyglare Stud Stakes and then defeated male opposition to take the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère. At the end of the season she was voted Cartier Champion Two-year-old Filly. In the following year she was placed in the 1000 Guineas, Irish 1,000 Guineas and Sun Chariot Stakes.

Roly Poly is an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old in 2016 she won three of her eight races including the Grangecon Stud Stakes and the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes as well as finishing second in the Cheveley Park Stakes and the Lowther Stakes. In the following year she proved herself to be a top-class performer over one mile, recording Group 1 victories in the Falmouth Stakes, Prix Rothschild and Sun Chariot Stakes and running second in both the Irish 1,000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billesdon Brook</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Billesdon Brook was a British Thoroughbred racehorse. She was a useful and consistent juvenile in 2017, winning three races including the Prestige Stakes and being placed on four of her other five starts. In the following spring she ran fourth on her seasonal debut and then recorded a 66/1 upset win in the 1000 Guineas. She failed to win again that year but returned to form in 2019 to win the Queen Charlotte Fillies' Stakes, Oak Tree Stakes and Sun Chariot Stakes. As a five-year-old she was unable to win in six attempts but finished second in four races including the Falmouth Stakes.

Qemah is an Irish-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She showed considerable promise as a juvenile in 2015 when she won one minor race and finished third in the Prix Marcel Boussac. The following spring, she took the Prix de la Grotte and went on to record Group 1 victories in the Coronation Stakes and Prix Rothschild. The highlight of her four-year-old season was a win in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laurens (horse)</span> Thoroughbred racehorse trained in Britain

Laurens is a French-bred British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. In a career running from July 2017 to October 2019 she ran 17 times, winning eight races, including six at the highest Group 1 level. In 2017 she won a minor event on her racecourse debut and then finished second to Polydream in the Prix du Calvados before her victories in the May Hill Stakes and Fillies' Mile. In the following year she ran second to Billesdon Brook in the 1000 Guineas and then embarked on a successful campaign in her native France, taking both the Prix Saint-Alary and the Prix de Diane. When tried over one and a half miles she failed to stay the distance in the Yorkshire Oaks but when brought back to one mile she upset Alpha Centauri in the Matron Stakes and then added a fifth Group 1 success when taking the Sun Chariot Stakes. In 2019 she continued to compete at the highest level, adding a further Group 1 win in France in the Prix Rothschild before being retired at the end of the season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clemmie</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Clemmie is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old in 2017 she was beaten in her first two races but then won the Grangecon Stud Stakes, Duchess of Cambridge Stakes and Cheveley Park Stakes, ending the year as the highest-rated juvenile filly in Europe. She failed to win in six starts in the following year and was retired at the end of the season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magical (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Magical is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who excelled over middle distances and was rated in the top twenty racehorses in the world in 2018 and 2019. She showed considerable ability as a juvenile in 2017, winning the Debutante Stakes and finishing second in the Moyglare Stud Stakes as well as running fourth in both the Prix Marcel Boussac and the Fillies' Mile. In the following year she won the Kilboy Estate Stakes but did not produce her best form until autumn when she took the British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes and was narrowly beaten in the Breeders' Cup Turf. In 2019 she won the Alleged Stakes, Mooresbridge Stakes, Tattersalls Gold Cup, Irish Champion Stakes and Champion Stakes as well as finishing second in the Prince of Wales's Stakes, Eclipse Stakes and Yorkshire Oaks. As a five-year-old she was as good as ever, winning the Pretty Polly Stakes and recording repeat victories in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and the Irish Champion Stakes as well as being placed in the International Stakes, Champion Stakes, Breeders' Cup Turf and Hong Kong Cup.

Veracious is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. She showed promise as a juvenile in 2017 when she won the second of her two starts and went on to demonstrate high class form in the following year, winning the Atalanta Stakes and running third in both the Coronation Stakes and the Nassau Stakes. As a four-year-old in 2019 she recorded her biggest success when she took the Falmouth Stakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpine Star (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Alpine Star is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. She showed very good form as a juvenile in 2019, winning two of her three races including the Debutante Stakes. On her first run of 2020 she won the Coronation Stakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alcohol Free (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Alcohol Free is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. She was one of the best juvenile fillies in Europe in 2020 when she won two of her three races including the Cheveley Park Stakes. She improved as a three-year-old, winning the Fred Darling Stakes, Coronation Stakes and Sussex Stakes. As a four-year-old in 2022 she was dropped back to sprint distances and added a further Group One success when winning the July Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discoveries (horse)</span> Irish Thoroughbred racehorse

Discoveries is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. She was one of thest two-year-old fillies in Ireland in 2021 when she won two of her four races including the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes.

References

  1. 1 2 "Alpha Centauri pedigree". Equineline.
  2. Hersh, Marcus (13 July 2018). "Alpha Centauri impresses again in Falmouth Stakes". Daily Racing Form .
  3. "Mastercraftsman stud record". Racing Post. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  4. 1 2 "Daffodil's Dam – Family 20". Thoroughbred Bloodlines.
  5. "No Nay Never Fillies Maiden result". Racing Post. 1 May 2017.
  6. "Fillies' Sprint Stakes result". Racing Post. 21 May 2017.
  7. "Irish 1000 Guineas result". Racing Post. 27 May 2018.
  8. "Coronation Stakes result". Racing Post. 22 June 2018.
  9. Wood, Greg (22 June 2018). "Alpha Centauri stamps her class on Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot". the Guardian.
  10. "Falmouth Stakes result". Racing Post. 23 July 2018.
  11. Cook, Chris (13 July 2018). "Frankie Dettori to appeal against King George and Glorious Goodwood ban". The Guardian .
  12. Jennings, David (14 August 2018). "Head girl: Alpha Centauri best Irish three-year-old filly since Ridgewood Pearl". Racing Post .
  13. "World's Best Racehorse Rankings July 8, 2018". IFHA.
  14. "Massive double injury blow as Alpha Centauri and Saxon Warrior are retired". Racing Post . 16 September 2018.
  15. Armytage, Marcus (13 November 2018). "Roaring Lion seals stunning year with top Cartier award". The Daily Telegraph .
  16. O'Hehir, Tony (5 December 2018). "Alpha Centauri voted Horse of the Year at HRI's annual awards ceremony". Racing Post .