Niarchos Family | Horse Racing Free Tips

The Curragh Honours Alpha Centauri

The Curragh announced that the Niarchos Family will sponsor the Aug. 22 G2 Debutante S. to acknowledge the racing career of Niarchos homebred Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), who was named Cartier champion 3-year-old filly and Irish Horse of the Year in 2018. During her racing career, she won six of 10 starts, including the G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas, G1 Coronation S., G1 Falmouth S. and G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard.

“The Niarchos family are synonymous with racing at the Curragh with their name associated with numerous high-quality winners over many years,” Evan Arkwright, Racing and Sponsorship Manager, The Curragh commented. “We are delighted that they have agreed to honour Alpha Centauri by adding her name to a race that consistently attracts the very best juvenile fillies.”

In 2019, the Jessica Harrington-trained Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), a half-sister to Alpha Centauri, also owned and bred by the Niarchos family, won under Shane Foley before going on to a Group 1 success in the 2020 G1 Coronation S. She was the highest-rated 3yo filly in the Longines World Rankings over one mile in 2020.

Maria Niarchos-Gouazé said, “Racing in Ireland has been very good to my family and we are pleased to be able to support the Curragh through the sponsorship of such a prestigious race that has been won by many brilliant fillies, including Alpine Star.”

Alpha Centauri, who retired from racing in 2018, produced a colt by Galileo last season.

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Alpine Star Enters Winter Quarters, Will Race On

Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea the Moon {Ger}), winner of the Coronation S. in June, will not race again this year and instead enjoy some time off. The Niarchos Family runner was runner-up in three consecutive Group 1s following her Ascot score-the July 5 Prix de Diane Longines, the Aug. 16 Prix Jacques le Marois and the Prix de l’Opera Longines on Arc Day, Oct. 4.

“She ran another blinder in the Opera,” said the Niarchos family’s racing manager Alan Cooper of the Jessica Harrington trainee. “She’s a tough, honest and very high-class filly. We’ll put her away now and bring her back for a 4-year-old campaign next season. She’s very consistent and hopefully there’ll be more Group 1 races for her.

“It will be interesting to see what Jessie decides regarding trip next year. She seems equally capable over a mile and a mile and a quarter at the moment, which is very exciting.”

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Alpine Star Eyeing Deauville Date

G1 Coronation S. winner Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), last seen finishing a short-neck second to Fancy Blue (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 Prix de Diane on July 5, could resurface in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Aug. 16 if ground conditions play to her liking.

“If all goes according to plan she could go to Deauville, but we just need to keep an eye on the ground,” said Alan Cooper, racing manager to owner/breeder The Niarchos Family. “There’s very hot weather forecast, but then there could be thunderstorms, so we’ll watch out for that. Her form appears very strong, with Fancy Blue winning again at Goodwood. The 3-year-old fillies appear to be very strong this year which is exciting, it’s good for racing.”

The Niarchos Family could yet have another major player in the division in Albigna (Ire), also from the yard of Jessica Harrington. The daughter of Zoffany went into winter quarters with hopes high off a win in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac, but has only been seen once this year when sixth in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas.

“Albigna is making steady progress and it’s possible she could have a busy end-of-year programme,” said Cooper. “She could reappear in the Snow Fairy at The Curragh at the end of the month, we’ll just wait and see. But all is well with her.”

Cooper reported that 3-year-old colt Highest Ground (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who lost his unbeaten record when beaten a neck at third asking in the G2 Dante S. on July 9, will stay in training at four.

“Sir Michael is very happy with him currently, but he’s just waiting a little bit longer before committing to a plan,” said Cooper. “There was a mad rush when racing resumed with all the races crammed together, but it’s not like that now. The long-term plan for him is for next year, he’ll be staying in training as a 4-year-old, so Sir Michael will feel his way and when he’s ready, he’ll take it from there. I would think Highest Ground fits the profile of a typical Sir Michael late-maturing type–I hope so.”

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Deep Impact’s Harajuku Earns Rising Stardom in France

Andre Fabre trainee Harajuku (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) went postward at generous odds of 23-5 for Sunday’s Prix de la Butte Blanche at Chantilly and came home in style to earn ‘TDN Rising Star’ status in the seven-furlong maiden heat for fillies. She was well away to occupy a handy slot in third before improving to go second at halfway in this debut. Looming large on the bridle off the home turn, Harajuku eased to the fore approaching the quarter-mile marker and was not for catching thereafter, running on powerfully in the closing stages to prevail by an impressive 2 1/2 lengths from Amazing Grace (Ger) (Protectionist {Ger}).

“We were hopeful she would run a good race first time out, but Andre [Fabre] felt she might lack the experience,” admitted racing manager Alan Cooper. “She is a beautifully bred filly and had a lovely action at the end. She is the perfect example of what international racing and breeding is. She was conceived in Japan, born in Ireland and now raced in France.”

Harajuku is the third of four foals and becomes the second scorer produced by a dual-winning full-sister to G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Nightime (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), herself the dam of this month’s G1 Eclipse S. winner Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and GI Man o’ War S. victress Zhukova (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). The February-foaled homebred bay is a half-sister to G2 Meguro Kinen victor King of Koji (Jpn) (King Kanaloa {Jpn}) and a yearling filly by Fastnet Rock (Aus).

2nd-Chantilly, €22,000, Mdn, 7-19, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:26.84, g/s.
HARAJUKU (IRE), f, 2, by Deep Impact (Jpn)
1st Dam: Phaenomena (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Caumshinaun (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire)
3rd Dam: Ridge Pool (Ire), by Bluebird
1ST-TIME STARTER. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €11,000. O-Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd; B-Niarchos Family (IRE); T-Andre Fabre. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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