Group One Yorkshire Oaks Guide 2023

Alex Dudley | @@Alex_Dudz_

York - August 23 2023
York 14:35
4(10)
W J Lee

Rosscarbery

J: W J Lee
T: P Twomey
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-9
OR: 110
Days: 33

Rosscarbery has been a constant performer in stakes company, having landed three wins and two seconds in 12 starts.

She returns to her ideal trip this weekend, which she has only competed over on one occasion this term, landing victory G3 Munster Oaks Stakes.

She was last seen finishing three lengths second behind Emily Dickinson in the G2 Comer Group International Curragh Cup. William James Lee is on board.

York - August 23 2023
York 14:35
2(3)
Frankie Dettori

Free Wind

J: Frankie Dettori
T: John & Thady Gosden
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-9
OR: 111
Days: 19

Frankie Dettori’s runner in the Yorkshire Oaks comes on board in Free Wind.

The John & Thady Gosden-trained mare will be looking to respond after finishing over 15 lengths behind Sumo Sam in the G2 Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood in early August.

However, a return to a mile four and ideal conditions ensures that it is hard to dismiss her chances. She has already won at York this season, landing the G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes in May.

York - August 23 2023
York 14:35
1(4)
David Egan

Al Husn

J: David Egan
T: Roger Varian
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-9
OR: 115
Days: 21

Roger Varian-trained Al Husn has been in red-hot form this year, and she will be chasing a fourth straight win on Thursday in the Yorkshire Oaks.

She was excellent over a mile and two on her previous outing, landing the G1 Nassau Stakes by half a length from Above The Curve.

She was overlooked in the betting on that day, but the same mistake is unlikely to be made for the David Egan runner this week.

York - August 23 2023
York 14:35
3(7)
Sam James

Poptronic

J: Sam James
T: K R Burke
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-9
OR: 108
Days: 47

Poptronic is the runner for Karl Burke in the Group 1 on Thursday. The four-year-old was excellent on her previous start, as she landed the G2 Lancashire Oaks over a mile and four at Haydock, beating Sea Silk Road by a neck.

However, she has form to find on Free Wind after finishing over three lengths behind her re-appearing rival at York in May. Sam James takes the ride.

York - August 23 2023
York 14:35
5(2)
Tom Marquand

Sea Silk Road

J: Tom Marquand
T: William Haggas
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-9
OR: 108
Days: 47

Sea Silk Road is the runner for William Haggas on Thursday, with Tom Marquand taking the ride. The four-year-old was a close second behind Potronic in the G2 Lancashire Oaks on her previous start.

But, she has already landed victory over a mile and four this season after landing G3 Lester Piggott Stakes at Haydock. However, she could be vulnerable against improving runners this week.

York - August 23 2023
York 14:35
6(8)
Oisin Murphy

Stay Alert

J: Oisin Murphy
T: Hughie Morrison
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-9
OR: 112
Days: 54

Stay Alert is an interesting runner for Oisin Murphy and Hughie Morrison on Thursday. The four-year-old makes her first start over a mile and four since finishing last of 14 in the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes last year.

She was well held at York by Free Wind earlier this season, but her recent effort behind Via Sistina in the G1 Pretty Polly is intriguing after the winner’s subsequent near-miss in Group 1 company in France.

York - August 23 2023
York 14:35
10(9)
James Doyle

Warm Heart

J: James Doyle
T: A P O'Brien
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-0
OR: 110
Days: 33

Warm Heart is the second of the Aidan O’Brien runners on Thursday. The three-year-old was fifth in the G1 Irish Oaks on her previous start, finishing over five lengths behind her stablemate, Savethelastdance.

However, she was shown flashes this term including a two and a half length win over Lumiere Rock over a mile and four in the G2 Ribblesdale Stakes.

Warm Heart also beat Bluestocking by a head at Newbury in May. However, it’s hard to overlook that the other O’Brien runner is the choice of Moore.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
04/11/23SNA10Fm8-82
10/09/23LON12GS8-111
24/08/23YOR12GF9-01
22/07/23CUR12Sft9-25
22/06/23ASC12GF9-21
York - August 23 2023
York 14:35
8(5)
William Buick

Novakai

J: William Buick
T: K R Burke
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-0
OR: 107
Days: 33

William Buick takes the ride on Karl Burke-trained Novakai this week. The three-year-old produced a career-best effort to land a first stakes win in six efforts at Newmarket in late July, beating Cloudbreaker by nearly five lengths over a mile and four.

She has been well held in this company already this season, finishing eleventh of 15 in the G1 Prix de Diane at Longchamp.

York - August 23 2023
York 14:35
7(1)
Rossa Ryan

Bluestocking

J: Rossa Ryan
T: Ralph Beckett
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-0
OR: 112
Days: 33

Ralph Beckett’s runner in the Group 1 comes in the form of Bluestocking this week. The three-year-old is without a win in three starts this season, but she has failed to finish outside the first three.

Her latest effort saw her finish half a length behind Savethelastdance over a mile and four in the G1 Irish Oaks. However, in-form Rossa Ryan climbs back on board this weekend, and that is a boost to her chances.

York - August 23 2023
York 14:35
9(6)
Ryan Moore

Savethelastdance

J: Ryan Moore
T: A P O'Brien
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-0
OR: 114
Days: 33

Aidan O’Brien’s superstar filly will be back on track on Thursday, as Ryan Moore takes the ride on Savethelastdance. Her only defeat since debut came in the Epsom Oaks, as she finished a length and three quarters behind Soul Sister.

However, she put that near miss behind her after a 50-day break at the Curragh in late July, landing the G1 Irish Oaks by a close margin over Bluestocking. The rematch between the two is fascinating.