Sky Bet York Stakes |
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| Group 2, York 15:15 £135,000 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 1m 2f 56y, Class 1  |
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Alflaila gets up in time to win a thrilling renewal of the @SkyBet York Stakes under @Atzenijockey for trainer @ojburrows74 @yorkracecourse pic.twitter.com/6mdwBXHvR2 https://t.co/CDYbDgToCI via @RacingBetter
— RacingBetter (@RacingBetter) July 30, 2023
Sir Michael Stoute faces a crucial decision regarding Passenger’s participation on Saturday.
The lightly-raced son of Ulysses impressed by winning the Wood Ditton last year, but his subsequent performances included an unlucky third in the Dante and disappointment in the Derby. In 2023, he secured victory in the Group Three Winter Hill Stakes.
Since May, Passenger has been out of the spotlight, with his last appearance resulting in a comfortable win over Israr in the Huxley Stakes at Chester. Unfortunately, an infection prevented him from competing in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
Now, all attention shifts to the Knavesmire, where Stoute will determine whether Passenger should contest the York Stakes or head directly to the Juddmonte International in August. Alan Cooper, racing manager for the Niarchos family, explained that the decision will be made during the week, considering whether Passenger needs another race before the Juddmonte.
Alflaila, the promising five-year-old trained by Owen Burrows, aims to continue his successful comeback after Royal Ascot.
Having won four out of six starts in 2022, Alflaila raced only twice last season, securing Group Two victory at the Knavesmire and finishing fifth in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
Despite a subsequent setback delaying his return this season, Alflaila made an impressive comeback after nine months off, competing in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and finishing fourth – just under four lengths behind Auguste Rodin.
The son of Dark Angel is also entered in the Juddmonte International at York on August 21. Fellow Shadwell-owned horse Israr, winner of the Wolferton Stakes at the Royal meeting, shares the same entry. Further plans for both horses will likely be clarified after next weekend.
“Alflaila is hopefully going to York and obviously plans beyond that will depend on how he gets on there,” said Shadwell’s racing manager Angus Gold.
“Israr was in the same race, but if Alflaila runs we probably won’t run the two together, so with Israr we have the option of waiting for the Juddmonte, depending on what Sheikha Hissa would like to do.
“We’ll just have to play that one a bit by ear.”
Sky Bet York Stakes (Group 2)
£135,000 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 1m 2f 56y, Class 1
5 runners
Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
NO. (DRAW) FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY
1 (3) 1301-1 Passenger 4 9-11 Sir Michael Stoute Richard Kingscote
2 (2) 1/15-4 Alflaila 5 9-8 Owen Burrows Jim Crowley
3 (5) 114-02 Ancient Rome 5 9-8 Charles Hills Daniel Tudhope
4 (4) 115-15 Royal Rhyme 4 9-8 K R Burke Clifford Lee
5 (1) 812-12 King's Gambit 3 8-13 Harry Charlton Callum Shepherd
