Alpha Centauri Rated Best 3-Year-Old Irish Filly

Alpha Centauri is officially the best 3-year-old Irish filly since Ridgewood Pearl 23 years ago after her rating was upped 2lb to 124 a day on from her magical Aug. 12 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois (G1) display.

Alpha Centauri's new mark is the same as the rating given to Found after she had won the 2016 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) as a 4-year-old.

Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board senior flat handicapper Gary O'Gorman said Monday the way she conquered the colts in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville made a big impression.

Ridgewood Pearl, who won the Airlie Coolmore Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1), Coronation Stakes (G1), Emirates Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1), and Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) during a terrific campaign in 1995, reached a rating of 126 that year and is the only 3-year-old filly to have soared to a higher mark than Alpha Centauri in recent times.

"I was extremely impressed by Alpha Centauri and after careful consideration I decided to put her up 2lb to a new mark of 124, which means she is the best 3-year-old filly we have had here since Ridgewood Pearl in 1995," Gorman said. "She is the first filly to be rated as high as 124 since Found won the Arc as a 4-year-old. 

"Going into the race I was hoping Alpha Centauri would improve her rating and she didn't disappoint. Now we know what she did against her own sex was not a mirage."

He added: "My colleagues in France have actually gone 2lb higher and raised her to 126, but I would be 1lb lower than them on the general level of the race. It will be interesting to see how she fares when the next world ranking list is revealed in September. I liked her from very early on as I couldn't believe what she was doing at two given her size. I have to admit I lost the faith a little, but your first thought is always your best thought."

Trainer Jessica Harrington and Alan Cooper, racing manager to owners the Niarchos family, both agree the Sept. 15 Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes (G1) is where we are likely to see Alpha Centauri next, and Leopardstown chief executive Pat Keogh said he would be privileged to welcome a filly he thinks could become one of the best of all time. 

"There's no doubt about it, Alpha Centauri has her own fan club now and she puts bums on seats," he said. "She's an outstanding filly and could be one of the best of all time. We'd love to see her running during Longines Irish Champions Weekend, she'd be welcomed with open arms. 

"Not only is the horse herself incredibly popular but Jessie is so popular too, and she's done such a terrific job with her. I'm sure there would be an incredible atmosphere at Leopardstown if she runs in the Matron, and that day really is oozing with quality. It's very exciting and Alpha Centauri certainly adds to that excitement."