ALPHA Centauri is the closest star to earth at a distance of 24 trillion miles, 38 trillion kilometres or four light years away. Meanwhile, just up the road at Leopardstown today the equine Alpha Centauri is all set to be the star of the first day of the Longines Irish Champions Weekend.

Eye-catching in physique and with an equally impressive race record since landing the Group 1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas back in May, the Niarchos home-bred daughter of Mastercraftsman will make a further bid for racing immortality today, and the hearts of the racing world will be willing her on.