TDN RISING STARS

September 7, 2007 - NEWBURY, Race , Mdn, GBP £10,000, 1m, 1.5000, gd/fm

Alfathaa (GB), C, 2007, by Nayef

1st Dam: Arctic Char (GB) (SW-Eng & SP-Fr), by Polar Falcon
2nd Dam: Breadcrumb (GB), by Final Straw (GB)
3rd Dam: Scarcely Blessed (Ire), by So Blessed (GB)

Owner: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Breeder: Miss G J Abbey
Trainer: William Haggas

Alfathaa, a 115,000gns TATDEC foal and 100,000gns TATAPR breezer, shaped with a degree of promise when third on debut at Leicester Aug. 20 and reaped the benefit of that experience with an imposing display here. Despite entries in the Sept. 29 G2 Royal Lodge S. at Ascot and the Oct. 27 G1 Racing Post Trophy, the bay was sent off at 8-1. Breaking smartly to settle in the wake of the leader, he cruised to the front with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and lengthened clear under gentle coaxing to dismiss the well-regarded Slam (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}) by a hugely impressive five lengths. Alfathaa becomes the fifth winner for his freshman sire (by Gulch). "This horse has some physical improvement to do and he will run again this season, but there is no plan," trainer William Haggas told PA Sport. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, 7,151.