Bred by Paul and Marie McCartan under
the banner of CBS Bloodstock, owned, since June, 2017, by Godolphin
and trained by Clive Cox in Lambourn, Berkshire, Harry Angel was
Cartier Champion Sprinter in 2017. In fact, he was the fourth
highest-rated horse in Europe, behind only Battaash, Cracksman and
Enable.
A February foal, Harry Angel began his
racing career with defeat, by the minimum margin, in a novice stakes
race, over 5 furlongs, at Ascot in May, 2016. He raced just once
more as a juvenile, returning from a 133-day break to win the Group 2
Mill Reef Stakes, over 6 furlongs, at Newbury in September in
convincing style.
An enthusiastic, free-going sort, he
pulled too hard for his own good when second in the Group 3 Pavilion
Stakes, over 6 furlongs, at Ascot on his three-year-old debut.
However, he returned to winning ways in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes
at Haydock, quickening clear on the firm going to beat Second
Thoughts by an impressive 4½ lengths.
Harry Angel was bought, privately, from
original owner Peter Ridgers by Godolphin shortly afterwards and made
his first appearance in Group 1 company in the Commonwealth Cup at
Royal Ascot in June. Sent off 11/4 second favourite, he led until the
final half a furlong, but was unable to withstand the hitherto
unbeaten Caravaggio, who ran on strongly in the closing stages to win
by three-quarters of a length.
The pair met again in the Group 1
Darley July Cup at Newmarket three weeks later but, ridden with a
little more restraint, Harry Angel led approaching the furlong marker
and, although the likes of Limato, Brando and Caravaggio set off in
vain pursuit, he crossed the line 1¼ lengths in front. Winning
jockey Adam Kirby said afterwards, “He’s gone from boy to man
with every race and I can’t express how good he is.”
After eight weeks off, he was even more
impressive in the 32Red Sprint Stakes at Haydock, making all on heavy
going to beat Tasleet by 4 lengths. On his final start, in the Qipco
British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot, he again pulled hard and,
having made progress to lead inside the final quarter of a mile,
faded to finish fourth, beaten 2¼ lengths, behind Librisa Breeze.