Frankie Dettori stole all the headlines on Oaks Day at Epsom after winning the two biggest races on the card, the Oaks and Coronation Cup, with Soul Sister and Emily Upjohn respectively.
It’s a super seventh Oaks for Frankie Dettori as Soul Sister storms home at Epsom pic.twitter.com/XLO4ml49NP
— PA Racing (@PAracing) June 2, 2023
In what is set to be his final year in the saddle, it is proving to be an excellent season for the Italian rider, as he has now won two of the opening three British Classics of the campaign, with victory also coming in the 2,000 Guineas.
After landing the Musidora Stakes at York, one of the leading trials for the British Classic, Soul Sister went into the Oaks at Epsom with high hopes. She travelled strongly throughout the 1m4f race, and when asked to quicken inside the final couple of furlongs, she produced an impressive turn of foot to prevail by just under two lengths..
Earlier in the afternoon, Dettori also had Group One success on board Emily Upjohn in the Coronation Cup. The 2022 Oaks runner-up beat a small field that included Irish runner Point Lonsdale and Irish Derby winner Westover.
Irish Star Filly Savethelastdance Just Falls Short in Oaks
Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O’Brien will have to wait at least another year to win his 11th Oaks. His star filly Savethelastdance had to settle for second place behind Soul Sister. The Cheshire Oaks winner was in the mix at the business end of the race but just could not match the winner’s speed.
The Epsom runner-up could feature in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh in July. She has an entry in the Irish Classic. The daughter of Galileo has only had four appearances on the track now, so she remains open to improvement.
O’Brien will be hoping Savethelastdance can have a strong end to the year. She also has entries in the Irish St Leger (1m6f) and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (1m4f).
Charlie Johnston Lands Valuable Handicap Prize
Trainer Charlie Johnston has made an excellent start to the season after he picked up the licence from his father Mark in the UK. He was successful on Oaks Day in a valuable Class Two handicap when Austrian Theory beat stablemate Dutch Decoy in one of the closest finishes of the afternoon.
Austrian Theory takes the Racehorse Lotto Handicap
Joe Fanning leads home a Charlie Johnston 1️⃣, 2️⃣#ITVRacing | @EpsomRacecourse pic.twitter.com/gEin1k9JWp
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 2, 2023
Racing fans can get involved in racehorse ownership with Johnston at Raceshare. His gelding, La Pulga, is a three-time winner. People can buy shares in the horse from as little as £46. The Irish-bred horse has an entry in the Northumberland Plate later this year at Newcastle where the Middleham-based trainer will be hoping to land some more prize money in a lucrative handicap contest.
Racing fans can get involved in racehorse ownership with Johnston at Raceshare. His gelding, La Pulga, is a three-time winner. People can buy shares in the horse from as little as £46. The Irish-bred horse has an entry in the Northumberland Plate later this year at Newcastle where the Middleham-based trainer will be hoping to land some more prize money in a lucrative handicap contest..
After having a huge day at Epsom on day one of the Derby Festival, Dettori will be hoping for more success at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, the next two major meetings on the Flat calendar in the sport.
