Alice Springs Wins Falmouth in Record Time
Description:
Coolmore's Galileo added to his stellar sire record when Alice Springs won the Tattersalls 250th Year Falmouth Stakes (Eng-I) in course-record time at Newmarket July 8.
Alice Springs led inside the final furlong and went on to score by 2 1/4 lengths, ahead of pacesetter Very Special, and became the 225th black-type winner (and 244th stakes winner) for her Irish-based sire, who has 57 winnners at the group I or grade I level.
Ridden by Ryan Moore for Aidan O'Brien, who trains for Coolmore, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor, Alice Springs finished the one-mile test in on good to firm turf in 1:34.42. Early on, Moore rated his mount in third, with Godolphin's Very Special and Irish Rookie disputing the pace.
The 11-10 favorite off a victory in the Duke of Cambridge (Eng-II) at Royal Ascot, Godolphin's Usherette, finished sixth of seven fillies and mares.
Although winless in nine previous attempts in group company, Alice Springs improved on two placings in group I company. She finished third to Qemah in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot in June last time out and third in behind stablemates Minding and Ballydoyle the QIPCO One Thousand Guineas at Newmarket in May. She had four previous group I or grade I-placings overall, including her second to Catch a Glimpse in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IT) at Keeneland.
"Aidan said he felt she'd improved," Moore told Racing Post about the 3-year-old Alice Springs, who has a 3-2-4 record from 12 starts. "She's a big girl who's been kept busy and she deserved that. I think she's getting better. She's improved all year."
Usherette's teammate Very Special, twice a group II winner in Dubai earlier this year, outfinished another Godolphin colorbearer. Always Smile, by a nose for second.
Coolmore's M.V. Magnier bought Alice Springs, bred in Ireland by Lynch-Bages and Longfield Stud, out of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October yearling sale for 550,000 guineas ($928,736). Consigned by Glenvale Stud, the filly is out of Irish highweight Aleagueoftheirown, by Danehill Dancer. Alice Springs is a full sister to respective group- and listed-placed Criteria and Kingston Jamaica.