3 minute read
It was a day to savour on the Epsom Downs for Italian star, Frankie Dettori as he recorded a seventh Oaks success on Soul Sister and completed a memorable Group 1 double following Emily Upjohn’s Coronation Stakes triumph.
A winner of two of her three starts to date Soul Sister was sent off the 11/4 second favourite for Epsom Oaks victory following an impressive Group 3 success in York's Musidora trial.
The race was not without some drama as Running Lion was withdrawn at the start having gotten upset in the stalls leaving three-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy understandably frustrated.
Frankie Dettori was forced to sit and suffer in the early stages as he struggled to find cover from stall eleven. She raced keenly for the first few furlongs, but Frankie soon managed to slot in, and the daughter of Frankel began to relax.
Having come agonisingly close to winning this race twelve months ago on board the unlucky Emily Upjohn, Frankie kept things simple and cruised into contention approaching the four-furlong marker.
The John and Thady Gosden-trained filly soon looked to have matters under control and showed a sparkling turn of foot to take up the running inside the final two furlongs, with Frankie Dettori never having to get too serious as he pushed her out for a snug one-and-three-quarter length success.
Savethelastdance was sent off the 5/6 market leader following her remarkable twenty-two-length victory in last month's Cheshire Oaks.
Ryan Moore never looked entirely comfortable on his filly, but she showed a determined attitude to grab the runner-up spot over Jack Channon's Caernarfon, who ran a mighty race at 40/1.
It was a second success in the fillies Epsom Classic for owner-breeder Lady Bamford following Sariska's victory in this race back in 2009.
On his final season, part of the farewell tour, Frankie Dettori recorded a seventh Oaks victory.
Frankie Dettori spoke to Oli Bell on ITV Racing after:
"It means a lot, seven Oaks's. Lady Bamford has been a great supporter of mine.
"My last year and my second classic, its unbelievable, unbelievable. Two great fillies and this one I just want to soak it in!
"It was a bit messy at the beginning, I didn't want to go too wide and then basically, William (Buick riding Eternal Hope) stopped very quickly and had to go a bit wide but I kept her balanced and she did the rest.
"I'm not going to sleep tonight, it's so exciting!"
John Gosden echoed the delight of the classic success when speaking to Richi Persad on ITV:
"The York race was run steadily and she sprinted, so I was concerned she might not stay the mile and a half, but she did. So this is wonderful for the stud, they bred her and getting horses to this level is hard enough and let alone winning a classic.
"It's absolutely wonderful for the Daylesford Stud and all the people who work their.
"It's a little upsetting the other filly seemed to suddenly rear up in the gates and kick out. Thady has gone down to check, she's fine but to check with her. This game is a game of ups and downs."
When asked about the winning rider, he replied:
"When he's at the top of his game, there's never been anyone better. As an international jockey to go anywhere in the world, ride any country, ride any style, ride any track, any different paces, is absolutely untouched in that department.
"He's in great form. Plan A wasn't working was to sit handy so admittedly reverted to plan B to drop her out and he did it cooly, with confidence and had the class filly to do it"
Paddy Power cut Soul Sister to 4/1 from 6/1 for the Ribblesdale Stakes and 8/1 from 25/1 for this year's Arc. They will also be refunding all ante-post bets on Running Lion as a free bet.
