Alflaila aims to capitalise on his promising return at Royal Ascot as he defends his title in the Sky Bet York Stakes on the upcoming Saturday. Trained by Owen Burrows, the five-year-old had a successful 2022 season with four wins out of six starts. However, last year, he raced only twice due to setbacks, securing a Group Two victory at York's Knavesmire and finishing fifth in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
After a delay this season due to a setback, Alflaila made a bold return after nine months off, competing in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot. Despite the tough competition, he showed his quality by finishing fourth, less than four lengths behind the winner, Auguste Rodin.
The son of Dark Angel has an entry in the prestigious Juddmonte International at York on August 21, alongside Israr, another talented entire owned by Shadwell who won the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot. Plans for both horses will be clearer after the Sky Bet York Stakes.
Anmaat, another top-level middle-distance runner from the Shadwell stable, has been absent since winning the Group One Prix d’Ispahan at ParisLongchamp in May last year. With over a year off, Anmaat is gradually getting back into racing shape, aiming for a potential return next month.