It’s bravo to Alpha, says Colm

COLM O’DONOGHUE has paid tribute to superfilly Alpha Centauri following her premature retirement from racing.

O’Donoghue (below, with the horse) was everpresent in the saddle during the Jessica Harrington-trained three-year-old’s 10-race career, which included four Group One victories in as many months earlier this year. And he was distraught when Alpha Centauri suffered a careerending fetlock injury in defeat at Leopardstown on Saturday.

O’Donoghue said: “She’s just an amazing filly. Without doubt she’s the best horse I’ve ridden on the track.

“She is the highest rated three-year-old filly in the world and I feel very privileged to have ridden her.”