Ground takes toll on best in Ireland

Alpha Centauri and Saxon Warrior retired Godolphin hold strong Arc hand after trials

Irish Champions weekend produced some great racing and, in Saturday’s Qipco Irish Champions Stakes won by Roaring Lion, a strong contender for the race of the season – but at a cost.

Yesterday, the retirement of both Alpha Centauri and Saxon Warrior, respectively the best filly and colt in Ireland this summer, was announced after they sustained injuries on the quick ground at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Alpha Centauri was beaten three-quarters of a length by Laurens in the Matron Stakes but yesterday vets discovered a chip in her off-fore fetlock joint, an injury she appeared to sustain when she took a false step inside the final furlong. “She was right up there with the best fillies we’ve had including Miesque, East of The Moon and Divine Proportions,” said the Niarchos’ racing manager, Alan Cooper.

Saxon Warrior, the 2,000 Guineas winner who was beaten a neck by Roaring Lion, was also retired after sustaining tendon damage. “He ran a courageous race,” reflected Ryan Moore yesterday.

Otherwise it was Godolphin’s Sunday. They took two of the three French Arc trials at Parislong- champ with the Andre Fabretrained Kitesurf winning the Prix Vermeille while the twice-raced three-year-old Brundtland won the Prix Niel for Charlie Appleby shortly before Quorto, now unbeaten in three starts, took the National Stakes at The Curragh.

The best Arc trial was put up by Waldegist who came through smoothly to beat Talismanic by an easy 2½ lengths in the Prix Foy. He is now an 8-1 shot for the big race.

Speaking at The Curragh, Appleby said of Quorto: “It’s lovely to have a horse which travels like he does but they don’t learn a lot when they win easily. Today he got into a fight and I’m confident he’ll take a lot from it. We’re dreaming of a Classic career for him now.”

Karl Burke’s memorable weekend continued with Havana Grey adding to Lauren’s win by taking yesterday’s Flying Five to complete a Group One double for the Middleham trainer, who said: “It’s what dreams are made of. If someone said at the start of the year that you’ll have two Group One winners on a weekend, you’d think they were dreaming.

“As far as this horse [Havana Grey] is concerned, he deserved it, as he’s been so consistent. He’s turned up to every gig and he’s only three as well, he’s only a baby. That was a ‘win and you’re in’ for the Breeders’ Cup and I’d say that will be top of the agenda.”

Aidan O’brien completed a St Leger double when Flag of Honour, the 2-1 favourite, put up a strong staying performance to win the Comer Group Irish St Leger.