She was descended from the mare Summer Time, a full-sister to both Bull Lea and the influential broodmare Nectarine (the female-line ancestor of Sir Harry Lewis and Lookin At Lucky).
In early October the colt recorded his first success in the Soltykoff Maiden Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse, winning by four lengths from Longboat and nineteen other juveniles.
The field appeared to be sub-standard, with the only previous Group race winner being the French-trained Mendez who started 11/8 favourite after winning the Prix des Chênes and finishing third in the Grand Critérium.
Alphabatim, ridden by Greville Starkey, started 9/2[5] second choice in the betting ahead of Beldale Lear (a winner in Belgium) and the Michael Stoute-trained maiden Falstaff.
[4] Alphabatim began his second season in the Guardian Classic Trial over ten furlongs at Sandown Park Racecourse in late April when he was ridden by Brian Rouse and started at odds of 4/1[5] against seven opponents.
He stayed on steadily in the straight but never looked likely to challenge the leaders and finished fifth behind Secreto, El Gran Senor, Mighty Flutter and At Talaq.
He led the field from the start, and opened up a clear advantage before fading rapidly in the straight and finishing eleventh of the thirteen runners behind Seattle Song.
The blinkers were left off when the colt contested the inaugural Breeders' Cup Turf at Hollywood Park Racetrack and finished a close fifth behind Lashkari, All Along, Raami and Strawberry Road.
After tracking the leaders he took the lead on the final turn and won by 1+3⁄4 lengths from Raami with the Oak Tree Invitational winner Both Ends Burning in third place.
Ridden by the veteran Bill Shoemaker he produced a strong late run on the wide outside and won by a head from Dahar, with Theatrical in third place.
Shoemaker explained his decision to race wide by saying that when he rode Alphabatim in the Hollywood Gold Cup the horse showed that he "doesn't like to run on the inside".