By Sam Turner -
Shadwell head into tomorrow’s mouthwatering Juddmonte International at York believing they have two live chances to win “a fantastic race”.
Alflaila and Israr will represent the Globally renowned equine operation in the marquee event bidding to lower the colours of Derby winner City Of Troy in the richest ever staging of the Group 1 showpiece of the Ebor Festival.
The Owen Burrows-trained Alflaila boasts a terrific record on the Knavesmire and has won the last two renewals of the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes, while he also landed the 2022 running of the Group 3 Sky Bet Strensall Stakes at the Yorkshire venue.
Richard Hills, racing advisor at Shadwell Racing, said: “He loves York as he’s proven before. He has definitely taken a step forward since the last race and Owen is really, really happy with him, so we couldn’t be more pleased.
“He sort of takes time to get into his stride, so of course York with the lovely long straight plays to his strengths. It’s a great course, but particularly for him.”
The John and Thady Gosden-trained Israr, is back up in class after a convincing three-and-a-quarter length victory in the Listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Hills said: “He’s in there on his own merits. Sheikha Hissa bint Hamdan Al Maktoum took the view that he deserves his chance. He loves fast ground; York will suit him really well and I think he’ll run a big race. He’s in good nick.”
Hills, who rode Nayef to victory wearing Shadwell’s famous blue and white silks in the 2002 renewal of the Juddmonte International Stakes, is anticipating a superb showdown.
He said: “It’s been brewing up to be a really good race and I think everybody’s turning up. A great track, the ground’s going to be beautiful – it’s going to be a fantastic race in my opinion.”
SHADWELL TEAM PRIMED FOR SUCCESS
Shadwell is set for a clutch of other high-profile runners at York, including this year’s John Smith’s Cup winner Enfjaar.
The Roger Varian-trained four-year-old is in the entry for Saturday’s G3 Strensall Stakes along with fellow Shadwell runner, Alyanaabi.
Hills added: “Enfjaar is in great nick, he loves York as he’s proven, so he’s got a massive chance. The three-year-old, Alyanaabi, ran a great race in the 2,000 Guineas and then the St James’s Palace. He wasn’t quite right last time (at Newbury).”
Naqeeb is on course to appear on the same card in the £500,000 Ebor itself, after finishing a narrowly-beaten second over an extended two miles at Newbury last month.
Hills said: “It’s a competitive race. You don’t want to be drawn on the outside – middle to inside and I think he’d have a really good place chance at least.”
