3 minute read
James Doyle partnered Warm Heart to Yorkshire Oaks success as Aidan O’Brien’s filly narrowly prevailed over Free Wind in a thrilling renewal on the Knavesmire.
The Ballydoyle second-string, Warm Heart travelled supremely well under James Doyle, with stablemate Savethelastdance, who was sent off the 100/30 favourite, taking the field along at a decent tempo.
The 9/1 chance settled nicely in midfield after James Doyle secured a position one off the rail despite being drawn out wide in stall nine. The pace began to lift as the field turned for home and the eye was always drawn to the strong-travelling Warm Heart.
James Doyle eased his mount to the front with a couple of furlongs to run and the Group 2 Royal Ascot Ribblesdale Stakes winner quickened up smartly. Free Wind (5/1), who had to wait for room at a crucial stage, emerged from the pack to deliver her challenge under an all-action Frankie Dettori but although the Gosden-trained filly got upsides, she couldn't quite nose past a game Warm Heart, with Aidan O'Brien's filly clinging on grimly to score by a head.
Savethelastdance finished a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.
O'Brien, who was landing this contest for the seventh time, said: "She's a very good filly who won very well in Ascot (Ribblesdale Stakes) and then the last day (fifth to Savethelastdance at the Curragh) she just got back in a slowly-run race and it was hard to make up ground.
"She loves fast ground and she's a very slick filly. I think she's probably made for the Filly And Mare Turf (at the Breeders' Cup). She's a nice size to her and she's strong and has tactical speed as well.
"She could go straight there, or she could run on Irish Champions Weekend or Arc weekend, but she likes nice ground and maybe we shouldn't overface her.
"It's possible [she could stay in training next year]. The lads do keep horses in training as four-year-olds including fillies, so I'd say they'll definitely think about it at the end of the year. She's progressing from run to run."
Of the third-place horse and stablemate Savethelastdance, he added: "Ryan wanted an even pace for his filly as she stays well. When the ground gets slow it helps her as it makes it tougher for the others, but she still ran a great race.
"We were worried about the ground for her today. She always runs her race, but she's better on soft ground. Whereas most horses struggle, she improves.
"She definitely could be an Arc filly, as on softish ground she grows another leg. She has the choice of the St Leger or the Arc. If she ran in the St Leger the Arc comes up two weeks after that, so it's a little bit tight and she'd probably have to do one or the other.
"We'll probably give her an easy time now and see. We always felt she could be a filly for the Arc, especially if the ground got soft."
Paddy Power were quick to react to Warm Heart's success by cutting her from 16/1 to 8/1 for the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot in October. The same firm shortened her from 16/1 to 6/1 for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita a month later.