2011 result

racing_news/

Shareta Battles to Yorkshire Oaks Victory
23/08/12

1 Shareta 2/1
2 The Fugue 7/4F
3 Was 11/2
NR: Wild Coco (GER)
6 ran Distances: nk, 1¾l, 3¼l
TIME 2m 33.87s (slow by 4.27s)

Shareta outstayed the outstayed the Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes winner, The Fugue, to win the Darley Yorkshire Oaks by a neck, with the Investec Oaks winner, Was, in third place.

Shareta
© prixarcdetriomphe.com

The French filly, trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre, wore down The Fugue in the closing stages to score by a neck under Christophe Lemaire. Was, who was prominent early on with Shareta (2-1), was a length and three-quarters away in third in a race run in driving rain.

The two leaders set a sensible gallop in the poor conditions before Was took a definite advantage as they turned for home. While Was kicked on, The Fugue made eyecatching progress towards the centre of the course while Shareta plugged on up the stands side. And it was Shareta, runner-up in last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, who found the stamina to land the spoils.

The winning trainer said: "We came because the filly was in very good condition and because this is a marvellous track.

"I know she stays. Many times in France the straight is much too short and she doesn't have time to show what she can do. Today she could continue, continue, she was very strong.

"We have the Prix Vermeille to think of (rather than the Arc) - that is just for fillies. Sometimes the Arc is run on very soft ground and she doesn't like it too soft."

John Gosden said of The Fugue: "She ran a great race. The winner is a very good filly and there aren't really any excuses. I think she prefers quicker ground and she'll be aimed towards the Breeders' Cup where we know she'll get that."

Darley Yorkshire Oaks (British Champions' Series) (Group 1)
£310,000 added, 3yo plus, 1m 4f, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good to Firm (Good in places)