Dark Angel’s Alflaila Retains G2 York Stakes Title in Game Fashion

[Wandering Eyes]

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.”

 

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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