Jessica Harrington pays tribute as Matron heroine No Speak Alexander is retired

Less than a month on from her finest hour in the Matron Stakes, Group 1 heroine No Speak Alexander has been retired to begin her next career as a broodmare.

Trainer Jessica Harrington described the Irish Champions Weekend scorer as "a great filly to train" and hailed the 25-1 Matron success as the highlight of her ten-race career.

A wide-margin maiden winner as a two-year-old at Roscommon last year, No Speak Alexander made an immediate impact this spring when landing the Group 3 Athasi Stakes before finishing third to Empress Josephine in the Irish 1,000 Guineas.

She had no luck in running when down the field in the Group 1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville before taking the Matron Stakes in dramatic fashion at Leopardstown last month, surviving a stewards' inquiry after interference in the straight.

No Speak Alexander (right) battles it out with Pearls Galore in the Matron StakesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Making what would prove to be her final start in the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket last Saturday, she was beaten eight and three-quarter lengths in sixth behind Saffron Beach.

"She's been a smashing filly, really brilliant for everyone," said Harrington of the 110-rated performer, who raced in the white and navy silks of Charles, Noel and Paul O'Callaghan.

"Hopefully she'll be lucky as she heads off on her new career. The Matron Stakes was undoubtedly the highlight. She's been a great filly to train."

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No decision has been made yet on who will first cover No Speak Alexander, who will return to Tipperary based Mountarmstrong Stud where she was bred.

By Haras de Bouquetot's Shalaa, she became her sire's first Group 1 winner when causing an upset at Leopardstown last month. Her dam Rapacity Alexander, by Dandy Man, was a 5f juvenile Listed winner at Chantilly and is a sister to Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint winner Peniaphobia.

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