Alpha female: Centauri smashes Barney Roy's track record in devastating style

The performance was devastating, the adulation was universal and the future is limitless.

Alpha Centauri, the filly named after the closest star system to our own, was truly out of this world in thumping a high-class Coronation Stakes field by six lengths in a track record time of 1min 35.89sec, more than a second faster than previous title-holder Barney Roy.

It was a breathtaking performance from the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner, who loomed up under Colm O'Donoghue into a challenging position with two furlongs to go and had the race won half a furlong later. The remainder of the race was merely an opportunity for the Niarchos Family’s filly to show us just how much better she was than the others. And the answer was very.

Jessica Harrington is thrilled by the victory of Aplha CentauriCredit: Edward Whitaker

Her victory was a first at Royal Ascot for Jessica Harrington, whose mastery with the whole gamut of thoroughbreds has long been established, and her relief was palpable, especially as this special filly had been beaten favourite in the Albany Stakes last year.

“My first feeling after that is relief,” she said. “I’ve really got to calm down a bit as I got very nervous before the race – I’d probably say about an eight-and-a-half out of ten.

“We were very much under the radar going into the Guineas after two races on soft ground, where she didn’t run as well as she could, and there was no pressure on us. Today a lot of people expected her to win as she was favourite and that brings a lot of pressure.”

She added: "Last year we were disappointed, but that’s racing. Sometimes that happens and that’s why it’s so great when it goes right."

The reception Alpha Centauri received in the winner’s enclosure was more orderly and restrained than the raw emotion and jubilation Harrington will have experienced with past Cheltenham Festival winners. What wasn’t different was that indescribable winning feeling.

Colm O'Donoghue celebrates on Alpha Centauri as he returns to the winner's enclosureCredit: Mark Cranham

“Whether it’s a Grade 1 steeplechase or a Group 1 on the Flat it feels special – there's no difference between them,” Harrington said. “It’s over quicker on the Flat, which is good. Over jumps they have to go a long distance and over obstacles, which gives you a lot of heart-in-mouth moments.

“I’ve always been very confident about her. I felt she hit the front too soon, but the further she went the better she was.”

With Billesdon Brook and Teppal, winners of the 1,000 Guineas and Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, well beaten in fourth and ninth, Alpha Centauri raised herself up head and shoulders above her contemporaries.

However, there had been considerable fretting from connections prior to the stalls opening about the relative merits of the Classic fillies.

Result, analysis and race replay

Alan Cooper, racing manager to the Niarchos Family, said: “Going into the race, we were very nervous looking through the form and trying to match up the form lines and see who was best. I think she showed them today.

“It's an amazing day and fabulous for Jessie. I don’t need to say anything about Jessie. Her record and everything you see here today says all you need to know. She’s always had absolute belief in the filly.”

While no firm plans were offered for Alpha Centauri – the Niarchos-sponsored Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville was put forward as a potential option – Mark Johnston, trainer of the runner-up Threading, was already eyeing a possible rematch.

He said: “She was struggling to get in touch early on and she's come from quite a far way back. She's ran right up to form and had two Guineas winners behind her.

“The winner was exceptional and ran in an excellent time. A rematch will be likely down the line – you can't run away from one horse.”

A step up in trip will be considered for third Veracious, who continued the excellent form of her trainer Sir Michael Stoute at the meeting, and the same move may be in order for Billesdon Brook after she finished fourth.

Her trainer Richard Hannon said: “She just didn't pick up the way she did in the Guineas, despite staying on all the way to the line. I'm a little bit disappointed, but she's a very good filly and we might go up to a mile and a quarter with her.”

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