At the Juddmonte Irish Oaks held at the Curragh on Saturday, “You Got To Me”, an affectionately tagged “nutter” by her rider Hector Crouch, emerged as the victor in a particularly eventful competition. Trained by England’s Ralph Beckett, the 15-2 contender managed to narrowly beat the 3-1 preferred, “Content”, by less than a length. “Purple Lily” concluded the race in third place.
With the largest field for Oaks in almost a decade and a half, numerous participants encountered impediments during the race. “Content” in particular followed the eventual winner into the final stretch, only to be unexpectedly halted by jockey Ryan Moore. While Crouch navigated his way around the blockages for “You Got To Me,” Moore patiently bided his time. While “Content” deftly managed her first foray into the mile and a half, it ultimately wasn’t enough, and she trailed behind the leader.
“You Got To Me,”, who previously placed fourth in the Epsom Oaks against “Ezeliya” and the Ribblesdale in Royal Ascot against “Port Fairy,” proved her worth and decimated doubts with her glorious victory, a testament to the considerable betting support she had garnered.
For Crouch, a 27 year old, this was his initial triumph at Group One competition. Despite experiencing misfortune in the earlier Sapphire Stakes aboard “Makarova,” he praised “You Got To Me,” expressing disbelief and immense joy at their victory.
This win also brought much-gratified relief to Beckett, whose horse, “Bluestocking,” had narrowly missed victory in the preceding year’s race, outpaced at the last moment by “Savethelastdance”.
The Curragh marked the return of Bluestocking, who secured her maiden top-flight victory in the Pretty Polly Stakes three weeks prior, and Westover, who won the 2022 Irish Derby at the HQ for their Hampshire coach. Bluestocking’s previously disappointing performance in the Oaks and Ribblesdale was attributed to the downhill start of the 12-furlong course in Ascot.
The trainer, Beckett, believes that introducing a tongue strap likely assisted today, providing the filly with an added distraction. Jockey Hector had to fight to maintain his position and establish one, a testament to the filly’s courage.
He meant to be up front from the hill’s peak, as per the initial plan. Hector, however, doesn’t startle easily and was able to adapt the plan after understanding how things would proceed just from the first few strides.
Despite the fact that Content didn’t manage to be the 100th individual Group/Grade One progeny of the late Galileo, the Starter’s chances of achieving this milestone at some point during the current season are likely based on the first attempt.
Following a string of misfortune in the Oaks, Ryan Moore’s luck turned in the subsequent Comer Group Curragh Cup, as Tower Of London edged out stablemate Grosvenor Square in the dying moments of the race.
Rider Gavin Ryan managed to secure an early lead for Grosvenor Square in the Group Two race and appeared to have evaded the pack by the time they reached the straight run. Only Tower Of London succeeded in catching up with the 17-2 Grosvenor Square, winning with a noticeable advantage.
Moore revealed that while he didn’t want to get ahead of himself, he appreciated that the horse showcased a good level of skill. Despite giving their competitor a sizable lead, he believed in riding with confidence and ensuring a strong finish following the horse’s York performance. Moore spoke highly of Tower Of London, suggesting the horse will have numerous opportunities in the future, potentially including another Curragh run in September for the Irish Leger or even an appearance at the Melbourne Cup.
Aidan O’Brien spoke highly of Capri’s full brother, praising his adaptability and potential, even hinting at a Melbourne Cup prospect. In contrast, Ryan Moore bet on the wrong horse during the first maiden, coming in third on favourite Ides of March as Wayne Lordan rode The Lion In Winter to a striking debut victory.
O’Brien had good words for The Lion In Winter, the progeny of Sea The Stars bought for €375,000 as a yearling. He commented on its commendable performance during training and its evident class, indicating O’Brien’s satisfaction and his ease about moving the horse up in distance. He does consider the horse to be more speed-orientated, and thus, there may be a reversal in distance.
Elsewhere, Big Gossey, a track specialist at The Curragh, clinched his sixth victory in the prestigious David Power Memorial Handicap, contributing another win to his trainer, Charles O’Brien’s record.