Alpha Centauri beats males impressively in Prix Jacques le Marois

Alpha Centauri confirmed her status as Europe’s leading turf miler with a comprehensive win against males in Sunday’s Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, France.

Alpha Centauri’s win in the $1.14 million Prix Jacques le Marois could easily lead to a start in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3. The race offered a fees-paid berth for the winner to the BC Mile.

Alpha Centauri is owned by the Niarchos family, which has a spectacular record in the BC Mile, having won a record six runnings, the most recent of which was Karakontie in 2014.

The Prix Jacques le Marois was Alpha Centauri’s fourth consecutive win in a Group 1, preceded by the Irish 1000 Guineas in May, the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, and the Falmouth Sakes at Newmarket, England, last month. The Prix Jacques le Marois was her first start against males.

Ridden by Colm O’Donoghue, Alpha Centauri was a patient filly in the Prix Jacques le Marois, run on a straightaway course. Shortly after the start, the field of 11 broke into two groups, with Alpha Centauri racing with six others closest to the stands.

The 9-10 favorite, Alpha Centauri stalked With You, who led the runners near the stands for the first six furlongs. Alpha Centauri took the lead with less than a quarter-mile remaining and drew away to win by 2 1/2 lengths over Recoletos, the winner of the Group 1 Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris in May. Recoletos had been third in the group closest to the stands in the first half of the race.

With You, who won the Group 1 Prix Rothschild at a mile on turf for fillies and mares at Deauville on July 29, held third.

Alpha Centauri has won 6 of 9 starts under the direction of Irish trainer Jessica Harrington. Alpha Centauri was 10th in her first start of the year, the Group 3 Irish 1000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown in Ireland in April.

After the race, Harrington mentioned the Group 1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Sept. 15 as a possible goal for Alpha Centauri, who is by Mastercraftsman. The $400,000 Matron Stakes is run at a mile for fillies and mares.

Alpha Centauri is by far the finest flat horse trained by Harrington, 71. She is best known for her success with steeplechasers, notably Moscow Flyer, who won the 2003 and 2005 Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham, England, and Sizing John, who won the 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup.