Alpine Star continued a family tradition in winning Saturday’s Gr1 Coronation Stakes (1 mile) at Royal Ascot.
Alpine Star came through along the inside in the home straight to reach the lead inside the final furlong and go clear to defeat American visitor Sharing by 4-1/4 lengths with Quadrilateral a further 1-3/4 lengths away third.
The three-year-old daughter of German Derby winner Sea The Moon, homebred by the Niarchos Family, is a half-sister to Alpha Centauri who won this race in 2018 and also trained by Jessica Harrington.
“I could not believe it because she was the only horse in the field that hadn’t had a run this year, but she is amazing,” Harrington said.
“She is a half-sister to a complete superstar, Alpha Centauri, who gave me my first Royal Ascot winner. She was just amazing today, she did it so easy.
“She is very laidback and nothing like Alpha Centauri, who was a great big, very imposing filly. This filly is not very big, she is not a great colour – a little bit of a mealy chestnut. If you saw her trotting around in the string, you wouldn’t pick her out, but she has the most wonderful attitude.
“Frankie was probably squeezing her along before she turned in but every time you give her a squeeze, she will come for you. You are definitely very nervous when you are watching it the whole way from Ireland and it’s unbelievable.”
Harrington was unsure if Alpine Star would head on to Epsom for the Oaks.
“This was the plan and I don’t know about the next plan. I will talk to Maria (Niarchos-Gouaze), Electra (Niarchos) and Alan (Cooper) and then we will see what happens.”
Dettori was equally uncommitted.
“She will definitely get the mile and a quarter, she did all her best work at the end, the mile and a half? I really don’t know, I will leave to Maria Niarchos and Jessie to talk about.” he said.