Warm Heart pulls off stunning upset, outshining Free Wind in a thrilling Yorkshire Oaks showdown

Warm Heart Triumphs in Yorkshire Oaks

In a thrilling finish, Warm Heart toughed it out to claim victory in the Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks. Aidan O’Brien’s second-string runner, ridden by James Doyle at odds of 9-1, edged past Free Wind to secure the win.

The race saw Savethelastdance, the Irish Oaks winner and favorite at odds of 100-30 under Ryan Moore, take an early lead. Meanwhile, Warm Heart patiently held her position in mid-pack before making her move around the final bend.

With great determination and grace, Warm Heart steadily gained ground along the home straight. However, John and Thady Gosden’s Free Wind also posed a strong challenge but had to wait for a gap before pursuing Warm Heart towards the finish line.

In an exhilarating battle between these two talented fillies, it was ultimately Warm Heart who prevailed by a head over Frankie Dettori’s mount. Savethelastdance finished third after trailing behind by two lengths.

A Promising Future Awaits

Aidan O’Brien expressed his delight with Warm Heart’s performance: “She is an exceptional filly who displayed her talent during her impressive victory at Ascot (Ribblesdale Stakes). Despite facing difficulties due to slow pace races previously and struggling on softer grounds recently, she showcased incredible speed today.”

O’Brien hinted that they may consider sending Warm Hearts directly to compete in the Filly And Mare Turf event at the prestigious Breeders’ Cup. He praised her physical attributes – her size and strength – along with her tactical speed.

As for Savethelastdance, O’Brien recognized the challenge posed by the ground conditions: “She always runs her race, but she truly excels on softer surfaces. Unlike most horses that struggle in such conditions, she thrives.”

Arc Prospects Looming

O’Brien discussed potential plans for Savethelastdance in upcoming races. He mentioned that they are contemplating between entering her in the St Leger or aiming for the illustrious Arc. However, considering the tight schedule with only two weeks separating both events, they may opt to focus on one race rather than attempting both.

He emphasized how Savethelastdance’s performance significantly improves on softer grounds and suggested that an Arc entry might be an ideal choice if those conditions prevail.

About The Race

The Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks is a renowned horse racing event showcasing top fillies aged three years old and above. It takes place annually at York Racecourse and has a rich history of attracting exceptional talent from around the world.