Albany Stakes
Fillies' Group 3 | Class 1 | 2YO only
Winner £51,039 - 18 ran
led centre group, overall leader 2f out, ridden and ran on
tracked winner centre, ridden and every chance 2f out, ran on
chased clear winner far side, led this group 2f out, ran on
close up far side, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
towards rear centre, ridden and headway over 1f out, nearest finish
tracked winner centre, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
close up far side, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
outpaced far side, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
close up centre, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear far side, ridden 2f out, never a factor
in touch centre, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
chased clear leader far side, ridden and weakened over 1f out
ponied to start, overall leader far side and soon clear, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
keen, switched to far side after 1f, towards rear, pushed along and ran green 2f out, never on terms
in touch centre, ridden and weakened over 1f out
in touch far side, ridden and weakened over 1f out
dwelt, always in rear centre
tracked leaders centre, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Introduced into the Royal Meeting 16 years ago, this Group 3 6f race restricted to two-year-old fillies may not be as prestigious as the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes in terms of its official status but it has looked the classier of the two races in recent seasons. Last season’s runner-up, Alpha Centauri, went on to win the Irish 1000 Guineas and back in seventh was Clemmie who ended the season as European Champion Two-Year-Old filly.
All but two of the 16 winners contested a maiden last time out with ten winning.
Strong trends are thin on the ground but it is of note that all but two of the 16 winners contested a maiden last time out with ten winning (Cuis Ghaire is the only winner to have won a Group race beforehand) and eight winners were having just their second career start here. Sandown form should be respected as three of the 16 winners had run at the Esher track.
Different League was a very rare French-trained two-year-old winner at Royal Ascot when causing a 20/1 surprise last year. Team Hannon have secured three victories and all three entered the Albany Stakes off the back of winning a maiden on their sole previous start.
As with all two-year-old races at Royal Ascot, Mick Channon's contenders need to be viewed closely and he has also won three runnings including a 1-2 in 2003. Take note that two of his winners have also been upsets striking at 40/1 and 16/1 plus five of his other 11 runners have all run creditably finishing in the first six in what is well-contested event. Jeremy Noseda has won two runnings so his fillies need to be considered especially as he saddled the 1-2 on the first of those occasions and also the third in 2011.
| Type | Stats | Type | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | 90 runs, 14 wins (10 horses), 15 placed, 61 unplaced | Next time out | 16 runs, 4 wins, 3 placed, 9 unplaced |
| Class analysis | 23 runs up in class, 5 wins, 5 placed, 13 unplaced | Ratings check | Highest winning OR: 115; Highest placed OR: 117 |
