In a thrilling twist to the Curragh’s 2024 Classic campaign, cross-channel rivals secured a commanding 3-1 lead after “You Got To Me” won Saturday’s Juddmonte Irish Oaks. With the Comer Group Irish St Leger set to occure in September, skepticism surrounds its standing as a Classic contest. Up until now, only Los Angeles has prevented an all-foreign sweep in the Derby from the previous month.
Curiously, Irish steeds have seen greater success in Britain, notably with City Of Troy’s win at the Epsom Derby and Ezeliya clinching the Oaks. However, the French have domineeringly kept all their Classics on their turf.
In a staggering quick turn of events post-Saturday’s Oaks, the Tower Of London thrust himself into contention for the Irish Leger. Even after being massively behind his stablemate, Grosvenor Square, the Tower of London managed to secure an unexpected yet comfortable victory. The moment had jockey Ryan Moore joking, “Not to get there too soon!”
The Oaks proved a bit more taxing for Moore, who was paired with favourite competitor, Content. Trailing behind “You Got To Me” and encountering a crucial roadblock, Moore had to bide precious time, before finding a clear path with Content.
This delay allowed winner Hector Crouch to soar ahead, achieving his inaugural Group One victory. This left the renowned sire, Galileo, agonizingly short of steadfastly securing his 100th individual Group/Grade One win worldwide. Yet, the possibility for the filly to attain this milestone achievement remains.
Her trainer, Aidan O’Brien, expressed his satisfaction with her performance, acknowledging it simply wasn’t their year. Frequented second-place finishes at the Oaks bring familiar emotion, and according to O’Brien, it’s unlikely Content will partake in Goodwood, granting room for the Justify filly, Opera Singer. However, based on successful previous performances in the states, she may have one more race before they bid for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
Even with the recent triumph, Ralph Beckett, the trainer of You Got To Me, had last’s year Oaks still ringing in his mind. He had primed Bluestocking for the event in 2023, but she narrowly missed out on a win, coming second to Savethelastdance guided by O’Brien.
Beckett reflected on the challenging experience of the prior year when Bluestocking just fell short of winning, making their recent victory all the more gratifying. He expressed his surprise at the mare’s emphatic win, none of them had anticipated it, but it only added to the joyous moment. Beckett, who operates out of Hampshire, observed significant improvements in her performance in the last few weeks. She had travelled superbly well and was in excellent form. Though she is not planned for the St Leger, other possibilities like the Yorkshire Oaks are being considered, a racecourse that Beckett believes will suit her.
Bluestocking earlier this month secured her maiden Group One title at the Pretty Polly staged at the Curragh. Beckett refuses to rule out her appearance at the upcoming King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot this Saturday. However, her participation will be contingent on the prevailing weather and other factors. There’s a possibility that she could run in either the King George, the Nassau, or the Yorkshire Oaks, or maybe even a pair of these, Beckett revealed.
Most ante-post lists suggest that the filly stands a decent chance in the all-aged midsummer highlight, placing her odds at 7-1. There were also other successful cross-channel ventures, for example, Moore’s leading Believing to a Group Two Sapphire Stakes triumph. A dissatisfactory run on Makarova resulted in Crouch settling for the third place.
The local sport gets underway on Monday evening at Ballinrobe. A horse bred for Classic glory will now be contending in a nine-furlong handicap with a mere official rating of 67. Simpson’s Paradox, who began his career under Jesscia Harrington, comes from a lineage where three of his siblings have attained Group One triumphs – Discoveries, Alpine Star, and Alpha Centauri, the last of the bunch also earned Ireland’s 2018 Horse of the Year honours with successes including the Irish 1,000 Guineas.
Yet, he has been unable to emulate their accomplishments but managed a Killarney win off 74 the previous year before switching to the Richard Newland team in Britain for further racing.
The equine returned to Ireland and displayed a hint of potential in his Bellewstown race earlier this month. The softer ground at Ballinrobe might just be what he needs to achieve a second victory in his career.
Harrington, on the other hand, may strike success in Mayo with the “Sea the Stars” filly, Starian, in the ultimate maiden. This contender proved to be no match for the skillful jumps mare, Magical Zoe, at Down Royal in her last outing despite coming in second in her three most recent starts.