Test | Yorkshire Oaks: runner-by-runner guide and tip
By Gavin Beech
Last Updated: Tue 20 Aug 2024
Aidan O’Brien has dominated recent editions of the Yorkshire Oaks, winning three of the last four renewals.
However, Ballydoyle’s top hope Content will need to reverse Irish Oaks form with You Got To Me if she is to extend her team’s stranglehold on this prestigious race. .
Gavin Beech runs the rule over evert contender for the £500,000 mile-and-a-half showpiece on the Knavesmire.
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EMILY UPJOHN
Official Rating: 116. Odds: 3/1
Two-time Group 1 winner who looked like one of the best middle-distance horses in training when quickening away from some smart performers in last year’s Coronation Cup at Epsom.
However, has been way off that level for the most part this season, the obvious exception being her narrow defeat by Bluestocking in the Pretty Polly Stakes. Poorly positioned in the Nassau last time and although she could easily bounce, it’s easy enough to have reservations for now.
MISTRAL STAR
Official Rating: 106. Odds: 16/1
Posted a career-best effort when running away with a Listed race at Newmarket but the runner-up was rated 98 and this is a completely different kettle of fish.
Not impossible she can improve again but that is required if she is to trouble higher-rated rivals.
QUEEN OF THE PRIDE
Official Rating: 111. Odds: 5/2
Thoroughly progressive filly who powered to a three-length success in the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock last time.
Strong chance there is even more to come after just five starts so although this is her toughest assignment to date, the galloping nature of York should be right up her street.
Very likely she rates higher than 111 by the end of the season.
SEA THEME
Official Rating: 106. Odds: 33/1
Well beaten in Lancashire Oaks behind Queen Of The Pride but she slipped around the home bend that day and quickly lost her position. Showed that run to be all wrong when bolting up in Listed race at Clairefontaine last month but, like Minstral Star, has a lot more on her plate this time. Hard to know at this stage whether she is capable of making an impact at Group 1 level.
CONTENT
Official Rating: 110 Odds: 5/2
Couldn’t justify favouritism in the Irish Oaks but she was only beaten ¾ length despite not having the cleanest runs through.
Had more runs than many of her rivals but she’s still unexposed over this trip so it would be no surprise if she were able to reverse Curragh form with You Got To Me and go close.
Ran big on quick ground at last year’s Breeders’ Cup so conditions shouldn’t be any excuse and she looks set to run a big race.
LAVA STREAM
Official Rating: 107 Odds: 20/1
Rated just 74 in May but has done nothing but improve this season, until she failed to land any meaningful blow in the Irish Oaks (beaten 11 lengths).
However, we know she’s better than that, as her neck second to Port Fairy in the Ribblesdale testifies.
Strong traveller who could get dragged into this late if they go hard but there can be no doubt that she needs a career best to figure.
PORT FAIRY
Official Rating: 108 Odds: 20/1
The standout performance in five career runs is her battling neck defeat of Lava Stream in the Ribblesdale.
However, was a long way below that level when dropping right away in the Irish Oaks and is likely in here to help ensure stablemate Content gets an even gallop to aim at.
Hard to see her winning unless she gets completely loose on the front end.
YOU GOT TO ME
Official Rating: 111. Odds: 5/1
Lingfield Oaks Trial winner who wasn’t able to show the same level of form under an aggressive ride in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot.
However, proved a completely different proposition when holding off Content to win the Irish Oaks by ¾ length last time, proving herself to be a very talented filly.
Conditions shouldn’t be an issue and likely to go well again for all that she’s not guaranteed to confirm that Curragh form with Content.
THE VERDICT
It’s 11 years since a four-year-old won the Yorkshire Oaks and coincidentally The Fugue was also trained by John Gosden.
It’s the Gosden team’s QUEEN OF THE PRIDE who has the sort of progressive profile that could easily see her extend her winning run despite the rise in class.
The way she disposed of some talented rivals in the Lancashire Oaks suggested it wouldn’t be long in making her mark at the top level and the galloping nature of the York track should suit her down to the ground. She can provide the Gosden team with a second Group 1 prize of the season (Audience in Lockinge is the only other).
Content looks capable of reversing Irish Oaks form with You Got To Me and running a big race, too.
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