Alyanaabi Likely to Put Classic Credentials to the Test in Greenham

The G3 Greenham S. at Newbury on Saturday, April 20, has been identified as a likely starting point for Alyanaabi (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) as he prepares to embark on his three-year-old campaign.

Trained by Owen Burrows, Shadwell's Alyanaabi proved himself a smart juvenile in 2023 when he won the G3 Tattersalls S. at Newmarket before going on to fill the runner-up spot behind City Of Troy (Justify) in the G1 Dewhurst S. over the same course and distance.

City Of Troy is a short-priced favourite to maintain his unbeaten record when, all being well, he lines up in the G1 Qipco 2000 Guineas back at Newmarket on Saturday, May 4, but Burrows is not shirking the rematch should Alyanaabi come through his preparation for the opening Classic of the season in good shape.

“I'm very pleased with him,” Burrows said of the talented colt. “He's done well [over the winter] and we've just started faster work with him. We might give him a run [in a Guineas trial]. If he goes anywhere he'll probably go to the Greenham at Newbury. It just sort of makes sense as it's just up the road for us and luckily he had a couple of runs at Newmarket last year, so he handles the Rowley Mile well by the look of it.

“We're a long way off and, like most people, we've not been able to do much on the grass as yet. It would be nice for it to dry out a little bit so we can get a bit of work on the grass into him, but we're happy that he might just go to Newbury and have a run before the Guineas. City Of Troy is the standout at the minute, but you can't run away from one and we'd like to think that we'll be up there with a few of the others, so we shall see.”

Burrows has a second entry for the 2000 Guineas in the shape of Deira Mile (Ire), last seen finishing fourth in the G1 Futurity Trophy S. at Doncaster in October, but the trainer considers it unlikely that the son of Camelot (GB) will take his chance at Newmarket.

“I'll be honest, I've got him in the English Derby and the French and the Irish [Derbys] and we've just put him in the Guineas in case for whatever reason he doesn't stay,” Burrows added. “I'd be amazed if he doesn't because that's all he did in the Futurity and obviously that was over a mile in heavy ground.

“The Guineas entry is just a speculative entry, but the owner was happy to cover all bases and he's going to be treated like a Derby horse, who will start over a mile and a quarter at the beginning of April and then we'd be expecting to hopefully look at a Derby trial with him after that.”

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Alflaila Possible for Irish Champion

Shadwell's Alflaila (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) may be supplemented to the Sept. 9 G1 Irish Champion S., sidestepping Shadwell-owned Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in next week's GI Juddmonte International at York.

Trained by Owen Burrows, Alflaila is on a four-race winning skein, taking the July 29 G2 York S. over the same course and distance as the International.

“It's unlikely at this stage that we would run the two against each other, I would think,” said Shadwell's racing manager Angus Gold.

“God willing, Mostahdaf stays in good shape–he'll be the one to represent [in the International]. Obviously, we will leave Alflaila in just in case something went wrong.”

“Sheikha Hissa may decide to run the two together. But at the same time if he didn't go there, we may look to supplement Alflaila for the Irish Champion.”

Shadwell has also penciled in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks for Al Husn (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), victorious in the G1 Nassau S. at Goodwood in her latest start Aug. 3. The 4-year-old is trained by Roger Varian.

“She's never run over this trip before and nobody has ever particularly said she needs that trip,” said Gold. “She's so tough and she's such a little star of a filly that she might well stay. On pedigree, the mare [Hadaatha] I think would have stayed–she was by Sea The Stars out of a Linamix mare. And Al Husn's by Dubawi–they can do anything.

“She a very easy filly to ride and she's got a heart the same size as her. So, she might well get it and it would be fun to try it, but we're in the luxurious position of her already being a Group 1 winner now, so we'll just see how Roger and his team feel she is and whether she's ready to go again.”

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Sea The Stars’ Hukum Prevails In King George War

After all that build-up, Saturday's G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Qipco S. had to live up to the billing and it managed it with a stirring finale provided by Shadwell's Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}–Aghareed, by Kingmambo) and Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) as the older horses ruled the roost at Ascot. Kept away from fast ground after his defeat of Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. at Sandown in May, the Owen Burrows-trained full-brother to Baaeed (GB) would have been any price for this prior to that revelatory comeback but traded at only 13-2 after the significant rain during the week tipped the scales in his favour.

Always travelling easily under cover in mid-division with Jim Crowley content to wait with the homebred, he went forward as Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) disappeared out of view turning for home with Ryan Moore giving up the unequal struggle and easing the 9-4 favourite out of the race. It was Westover who provided the target as Rob Hornby committed approaching two out, but Hukum had that extra helping of speed and after gaining the edge a furlong out denied the rallying Juddmonte runner by a head in this 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf in November. There was a 4 1/2-length margin back to the 3-year-old King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in third, with some tired horses further back in what turned into a war of attrition with the winning time the third-slowest since 1997.

“I've always believed in this horse and he's out of his brother's shadow now,” Crowley said. “That was something special. It went real smoothly and although Westover got first run on me it gave me something to aim at. He's so tough and it never felt like he was going to come off second best there.”

First emerging on the scene with a win in the course-and-distance King George V H. at the Royal meeting here three years ago, Hukum was St Leger-bound after beating up the older horses in the G3 Geoffrey Freer S. but was ill-equipped for such a stamina test at that stage and could manage only fifth to close out a decent 3-year-old campaign. After his third on soft ground in the G2 Hardwicke S. the following June, he was confined to group 3 company and looked to have reached a ceiling with a second to this race's absentee Hamish (GB) (Motivator {GB}) in the G3 September S.

What that defeat actually did was create a dividing line between Hukum Part 1 with limitations and the new sleeker model which was on display at Epsom last June as he blew away Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) by 4 1/4 lengths in the G1 Coronation Cup. Injury struck there and so the fates looked sealed, particularly while Baaeed took a sibling rivalry that had never looked a fair fight to new levels. Instead of retirement, there was in its place a concerted effort between the Burrows stable and Shadwell to give Hukum a 6-year-old campaign which would answer some lingering questions and the Brigadier Gerard did that and how.

While the heavy rain into Thursday played against Auguste Rodin and Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and probably also the fleet-footed King Of Steel most notably, it meant that Hukum had all boxes ticked in a race that was always going to boil down to small margins. For Auguste Rodin, this was a re-run of the 2000 Guineas disaster, only played out over a greater time scale as the all-or-nothing dual Derby hero proved unequivocally that he needs it fast. Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) went as quick as they could in front, but all bar the favourite were comfortable in behind and turning for home the eventual one-two-three were those with jockeys sitting the most quiet.

Any prospect of a blanket finish diminished rapidly straightening up, with Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Pyledriver treading water and Emily Upjohn floundering as the front two drove on into daylight with King Of Steel coming to the end of his stamina reserves. Looking at Westover, who had been such a flop here 12 months ago and who ran away from Hornby's whip to lose momentum in the closing stages, the deciding factor was probably the two years of hardening and extra maturity that the Shadwell representative had in his favour. Emerging as two true King George giants, they in the process gained overdue credibility having endured their fair share of being at times under-rated and under-valued by the press.

For Owen Burrows, the outcome was a dream scenario which 12 months ago would have seemed fanciful to even the biggest romantic. “He's an absolute star, isn't he? It is a big team effort, especially from my head lad who rides him every day, John Lake, and this season for whatever reason he's shown a lot more speed.”

“I can't put into words what it means,” he added. “The guys back at Shadwell rehabilitated him after his injury at Epsom, so huge credit to them. It was the type of injury that wouldn't retire a horse, but he'd just won a group one and he was five so hats off to Sheikha Hissa for giving him a chance. This horse has been a huge part of my career. He was my first Royal Ascot winner, first group one winner and he won in Dubai when we first went out after the sad passing of Sheikh Hamdan.”

Juddmonte's Barry Mahon described connections' mixed feelings after going so close. “We're devastated but delighted,” he said. “What a horse, what a horse race. He's run a career-best in what was being touted beforehand as the middle-distance race of the year and he went down gallantly. I felt he was even battling back again at the finish. He put it all on the line and he's doing what we thought he'd do this year. Last year he was big and immature and he's mentally and physically grown up. To break the track record the last day in Saint-Cloud was a big performance and to back it up with a run like that three weeks later is unbelievable.”

Rob Hornby added, “This race deserves a spectacle like that and to have an ovation for this horse, coming second like we did, was special. It is tough to take, but I'm really proud of him. He stays very well. He rolled around twice and I pulled my stick through and corrected him. When he got into a head-to-head, he was tough all the way to the line and he was just edged out unfortunately.”

Roger Varian said of King Of Steel, “I think he ran a great race, he lost nothing in defeat and came there with a great chance. He has been beaten by two mature, good, older horses. I'm not sure he got home as well as the first two. We have always got the option of coming back to 10 furlongs, but he had some great horses in behind him, two very good ones in front of him, and it's only his fifth run so he can only improve can't he?”

“He has the scope and is a big horse,” Varian added. “I'm sure he needs a little time between races. He's had a tough race today, but he's like a teenager, still. We got beat, but it was a super race–a championship race. He turned up and really ran his race.”

Aidan O'Brien said of Auguste Rodin, “Whatever happened, the power ran out and it ran out early. That is the unusual thing. The race wasn't even started. He was calm in the paddock, we were very happy with him. There is obviously a reason and we'll find it. It is frustrating, but that's the way.”

Pedigree Notes

Hukum, who was the fifth member of his family to run in this and the second to win it as he emulated the feat of Nashwan in 1989. It was in this race in 1982 that his fifth dam Height Of Fashion (Fr) raced for Sheikh Hamdan for the first time after he had purchased her from The Queen and she was seventh after banging her head coming out of the stalls. Prior to the victory of Nashwan, her son of Northern Dancer, Unfuwain, was second to Mtoto (GB) in 1988 while her other participant Nayef went down by a head to Golan (Ire) in a finish almost identical to this in 2002. He was also here a year later, but finished seventh as the 3-1 favourite on ground similar to this.

The Listed Prix de Liancourt winner Aghareed is nothing short of a goldmine for the operation, having been the best bred from the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and GI Flower Bowl Invitational S. heroine Lahudood (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) who like Hukum took time to gather momentum before exploding as champion grass mare in the Autumn of 2007. The fourth dam Bashayer (Mr. Prospector) is a full-sister to the Listed Oh So Sharp S. scorer Sarayir, who produced the G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Coronation S. heroine Ghanaati (Giant's Causeway) who is in turn responsible for the classy miler Mutasaabeq (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Less than 24 hours after her 3-year-old colt Naqeeb (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) managed to get beaten for the third time at Newmarket, Aghareed's story has gained an extra momentous chapter. She also has the 2-year-old colt by Night Of Thunder (Ire) named Waleefy (Ire) and a 2023 full-brother to Hukum and Baaeed to come.

Saturday, Ascot, Britain
KING GEORGE VI AND QUEEN ELIZABETH QIPCO S.-G1, £1,250,000, Ascot, 7-29, 3yo/up, 11f 211yT, 2:33.95, g/s.
1–HUKUM (IRE), 135, h, 6, by Sea The Stars (Ire)
     1st Dam: Aghareed (SW-Fr), by Kingmambo
     2nd Dam: Lahudood (GB), by Singspiel (Ire)
     3rd Dam: Rahayeb (GB), by Arazi
O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Limited (IRE); T-Owen Burrows; J-Jim Crowley. £708,875. Lifetime Record: GSW-UAE, 17-11-1-2, $1,859,692. *Full to Baaeed (GB), MG1SW-Eng, G1SW-Fr, $3,398,976. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Westover (GB), 135, c, 4, Frankel (GB)–Mirabilis, by Lear Fan. O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Ralph Beckett. £268,750.
3–King Of Steel, 124, c, 3, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Eldacar (GB), by Verglas (Ire). ($200,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Amo Racing Limited; B-Bonne Chance Farm, LLC (KY); T-Roger Varian. £134,500.
Margins: HD, 4HF, 3 1/4. Odds: 6.50, 7.00, 4.50.
Also Ran: Luxembourg (Ire), Pyledriver (GB), Bolshoi Ballet (Ire), Emily Upjohn (GB), Point Lonsdale (Ire), Deauville Legend (Ire), Auguste Rodin (Ire). Scratched: Hamish (GB).

 

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Dark Angel’s Alflaila To The Fore On The Knavesmire

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}).

 

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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