Harrington the world’s third-ranked female trainer after first classic victory

Jessica Harrington (left) with owner Electra Niarchos and sponsor Fiona Mahony (right) after Alpha Centauri’s win in the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas on Sunday. Photo: Healy Racing/focusonracing.com

She’s been a leading jumps trainer for the best part of two decades, with a Cheltenham Gold Cup, a Queen Mother Champion Chase and an Irish Grand National at the top of the huge list of her major triumphs, and the ten-time Grade 1 winner Moscow Flyer the biggest star in a glittering array of magnificent horses she has trained. Now Ireland’s Jessica Harrington has a new distinction to add to her list of honours: she’s trained a classic winner on the flat.

Alpha Centauri’s length-and-threequarter victory in Sunday’s G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh means that Harrington is now the world’s third-highest female flat trainer in the TRC Global Rankings, and the highest in the Northern Hemisphere. The victory meant a seven-point gain week on week, lifting her to #131 from #170.

FEMALE TRAINERS IN THE TRC GLOBAL RANKINGS

Only trainers currently operational are included. Criquette Head-Maarek (retired) is still ranked 275, and Maria Borell is at 342.

The table lists the 23 active female trainers in the TRC top 500. This represents the same total as the last time we published the list - on July 6, 2017 - although that list contained 25 names. Criquette Head-Maarek has since retired and Maria Borell still has no licence, although both remain in the 500.

Harrington is one of just six European trainers in the 23. She is the only one whose modal country (the country where she has most Group winners) is Ireland. There are also two listed under France (one of whom, Pia Brandt, is Swedish), one Britain, one Germany and one Italy (Sarah Steinberg, who is German).

Seven are from North America (five U.S. and one Canada), eight Oceania (four Australia, four New Zealand), one South Africa and one Argentina.

Meanwhile, Alpha Centauri’s sire, Mastercraftsman, also produced striking G3 Prix du Lys winner Neufbosc for Pia Brandt at ParisLongchamp on Sunday and is now world-ranked #39 (from 49).

The Guineas winner’s jockey, Colm O'Donoghue, climbs 15 places to #87, and owners the Niarchos Family are now #29 (up from 33).

Click here for a list of all last week’s biggest TRC Global Rankings points gainers.

Click here for a list of all the week’s Group and Graded winners.

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