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Falakeyah powers to Pretty Polly victory but Burrows cool on Oaks
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sun 4 May 2025
Falakeyah made a huge impression when stroling to victory in the Betfred Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket, but trainer Owen Burrows issued a warning over her Oaks prospects.
The Shadwell owned and bred filly was making the second start of her career and was ridden by Jim Crowley as the 6-4 favourite after winning her sole juvenile race by a wide margin last year.
She took up the lead early on in the contest and strode along happily to gain a significant advantage after a handful of furlongs.
That margin was reduced in the closing stages, but when asked to press on again the imposing bay was well able to respond and claimed an easy win by three and a quarter lengths from Life Is Beautiful.
Burrows said: "You've got to be very impressed with her. There was no real plan, we just said see where she ends up as she's a big filly with a big stride and we didn't want to be pulling her out of that.
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"She ended up setting her own fractions and did it the hard way.
"She'd won her only race on the all-weather, and the form hadn't worked out. But she's a well-balanced filly and she's very exciting.
"We'll have a chat with Team Shadwell about what to do next. Jim just said a mile and a half might be far enough for her. Put it this way, I wouldn't be telling anyone to back her for the Oaks just yet.
"She showed us a fair level at home last year and I trained her half-sister Rowayeh, who always promised a lot but she ended up rated in the mid-80s. This filly is showing the same but we hope she delivers on the promise, she's got more scope and her mind is a bit better.
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"She got a bit lonely in front, she was a bit tired which she was entitled to be. I'm just not sure she wants a mile and a half yet, possibly the Prix de Diane."
Crowley said: "She travelled strongly and I thought she was putting in some good fractions but she was always doing it easily.
"Her maiden didn't work out at all but she's been showing good speed, so I said to Owen she might not be one to go too far with just yet.
"She's a big girl with a big stride and she really covers the ground. I was pleased with how she won today as she's been showing it at home."
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