Harrington Plotting Albigna Future

Harrington Plotting Albigna Future

Jessica Harrington is currently drawing up plans for her new talented filly Albigna, after her inspiring success in the Airlie Stud Stakes at the Curragh.

The two-year-old filly represents the same connections as former stable superstar Alpha Centauri - who was retired last September through injury, but Albigna already looks certain to fill the void.

A daughter of Zoffany, she motored up the Curragh straight to lead the final strides in the Group Two event over six furlongs, somewhat reminiscent of her debut at the same venue back in May.

Pipping the Aidan O'Brien-trained Precious Moments, a step-up in trip in the near future should bode no problem at all for Harrington's exciting juvenile.

She remains in possession of a Group One entry in the Moyglare Stud Stakes over seven furlongs back at the Curragh in September, and the London-born trainer is excited about her future prospects.

(Credit: AtTheRaces) Harrington said: “She’s absolutely fine, not a bother on her.

“She put in a very good performance. I haven’t made any plans yet. She has an entry in the Moyglare. That is some way off, (so) we’ll just see where we’re going.”

Albigna is currently as short as 14/1 for the Qipco 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, at a meeting where Ger Lyons' Siskin is currently entrusted at the same price for the colts equivalent.

Jockey Colin Keane has labelled him as the best two-year-old he has ever sat on and is personally eyeing future Group One glory.

An impressive scorer in the Railway Stakes at the Irish Derby meeting, Keane was impressed about how he went about his business when beating the well-bred Monarch Of Egypt on his second ever racecourse appearance.

(Credit: Racing Post) Keane said: "I'd say he's the best two-year-old I have ever ridden.

"He's very easy to ride. He's so relaxed and has such a great mind. Before the race he was walking around the parade ring with his head between his legs and he's like that every day at home. He's so laid-back and has such a great mentality."

A son of First Defence, owner Prince Khalid Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe matches the thoughts of the Irish jockey, believing the horse has a strong case for getting a mile next season.

He said: "I think the most important thing about him is that he seems to have a great mind and takes everything very sensibly.

"He walked around the paddock calmly with the big crowd yesterday, then went down and lobbed around the start.

"He pinged the stalls but then settled and was racing on a good keel and you don't always see that in young horses. He pretty much had good control of the race as it developed.

"Ger [Lyons, trainer] and Colin were both very confident in the horse beforehand and Ger told Colin he was on the best horse and to ride him like that and it was good that it worked out."