Kalpana clung on to victory in a messy edition of the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday. The Juddmonte mare backed up her King George success at Ascot by defeating outsider Sparan Nua. Earlier on the card, another top level heroine, Sun Goddess, routed her rivals in extraordinary fashion ay York.
Here is today’s racing news round-up heading into the weekend.
York Ebor meeting: Kalpana defeats Sparan Nua & Sun Goddess mocks Goffs field
A messy renewal of the Yorkshire Oaks nevertheless produced a thrilling finale on Thursday. King George heroine Kalpana showed grit as well as class to record a fourth Group 1 success. She was one of four winners on the card for Andrew Balding, who continued his exceptional week. Front-runner Sugar Island, the rank outsider, hit a short price in running before fading badly as Kalpana clung on in the ground. (Mirror)
There was a much nearer miss for a similar outsider in Sparan Nua. Jim Bolger’s charge, who was third in the Irish Oaks, stepped right forward from her previous Group race form to almost cause a huge upset. PJ Colville, representing the owners Newtown Anner Stud, was philosophical afterwards. He said: “We just got a little bit squeezed a furlong and a half out and that just maybe stopped our momentum for a second, but look, we’re delighted.” (Racing TV)
One of the more remarkable Knavesmire performances occurred earlier on the Thursday card. Sun Goddess went off a red hot favourite for the Harrys Half Million By Goffs, race two on the day. A Group 1 winner in the Phoenix Stakes under two weeks prior, she initially looked outpaced under Ryan Moore. However, despite then meeting substantial trouble in running, Moore guided Aidan O’Brien’s filly around the field before bolting clear by six lengths. She landed connections a little shy of £300,000. (Racing Post)
The Thursday card at York opened with George Boughey and Billy Loughnane outshining their rivals once again. Their Royal Ascot winner Libertango stepped up to win the Group 2 Lowther Stakes. She was positioned in last place early on in the race, giving fellow joint favourite Star Of State a big head start. However, Loughnane expertly guided her through the field to win in the late strides. Boughey announced the Cheveley Park Stakes and Breeders’ Cup would be the next targets. (Thoroughbred Daily News)
Harry Skelton into jump racing top ten
Harry Skelton became one of the ten winningmost jockeys in jump racing history on Thursday. Skelton rode a double at Stratford on Thursday evening, both winners coming for brother Dan. Novice hurdle winner Fine Thing moved him level with Davy Russell before Glenmalure Flyer saw him surpass him in the 3m handicap chase. The 36-year-old has now ridden 1,590 winners and is just four behind ninth-placed Paul Carberry. (Racing Post)