Alflaila’s affinity with York will face a significant challenge in the upcoming Juddmonte International later this month.
The five-year-old, trained by Owen Burrows, has an impressive record of three wins from four starts at York, recently successfully defending his York Stakes title. With Jim Crowley aboard, Alflaila demonstrated considerable grit to defeat the esteemed rivals King’s Gambit and Passenger, delighting his connections with another strong performance in Yorkshire.
This victory has earned him a chance to compete in Group One company on the opening day of the Ebor meeting, where he may face tough competition from Aidan O’Brien’s Derby winner City Of Troy and James Fanshawe’s Ambiente Friendly.
Angus Gold, racing manager for Shadwell, remarked that Alflaila performed exceptionally well despite the fast pace. His enthusiasm and determination were clear as he battled hard to secure victory in the final 100 yards. Gold noted that trainer Owen Burrows had reported the horse came out of the race in good condition.
Gold further stated that the plan is to proceed to Juddmonte International if everything remains favourable. He emphasised that the horse has been kept in training for enjoyable racing and highlighted the importance of having strong older horses. While he did not guarantee a win, Gold expressed hope that Alflaila would be competitive and deliver some memorable performances.