2024 Betfred Oaks
RUN on Friday, 31 May 2024, as the Betfred Oaks, over the Derby Course of one mile and a half and 6 yards, Epsom Downs. For three-year-old fillies, 9st 2lb. Value to winner £311,905.
1st EZELIYA Chris Hayes 13-2
2nd DANCE SEQUENCE William Buick 7-1 3 lengths
3rd WAR CHIMES Tom Marquand 50-1 1½ lengths
Also ran: 4th You Got To Me (Hector Crouch) 15-2; Caught U Looking (Colin Keane) 16-1; Ylang Ylang (Ryan Moore) 11-8 Fav; Forest Fairy (Rossa Ryan) 10-1; Making Dreams (Clifford Lee) 40-1; Rubies Are Red (Wayne Lordan) 12-1; Secret Satire (Oisin Murphy) 20-1 (tailed off); Treasure (James Doyle) 22-1 (tailed off); Seaward (Sylvestre De Sousa) 40-1 (tailed off, last).
Commentary: The clear favourite at 11-8 for this years Oaks was Ylang Ylang, a Frankel filly trained by Aidan O’Brien, who having won Newmarket’s Fillies Mile as a juvenile, finished a very close fifth in the 1,000 Guineas, beaten only a length. Next in the market at 13-2 was the Aga Khan’s, Dubawi filly, Ezeliya, winner of the Group 3 Salsabil Stakes at Navan. Godolphin’s Dance Sequence, also by Dubawi, and winner of the Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket as a juvenile, was despite disappointing in the Guineas, a popular alternative at 7-1. Treasure, the Royal runner, was available at 22-1.
Twelve runners lined up on good to soft ground for the 246th Oaks Stakes. Caught You Looking, Secret Satire and Making Dreams (outside), took them along until Making Dreams built up a lead after 3 furlongs, extending it to four lengths at the top of the hill from Seaward, Treasure and Caught U Looking. At this point the O’Brian pair, Ylang Ylang and Rubies Are Red were at the back of the field.
Coming out of Tattenham Corner, Making Dreams was joined by You Got To Me and Caught U Looking, with Ezeliya in close attendance.
However, passing the 2 furlong pole, Dance Sequence made progress to join Ezeliya; battle ensued, until approaching 100 yards out, when Ezeliya, with Chris Hayes aboard, stormed clear to win by 3 lengths.
In the closing stages, War Chimes ran on well to finish third a further length and a half away.
Ylang Ylang, pushed along from Tattenham Corner, finished a well beaten 6th.
12 ran Time 2 min 42.06 sec
Winner BRED by H.H. The Aga Khan’s Studs SC. OWNED by H.H. The Aga Khan TRAINED by D.K. Weld, Ireland
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The winner, EZELIYA (b.f. 2021), has won 3 races from 4 starts: Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, Cork, Irish Stallion Farms EBF Salsabil Stakes, Navan, Betfred Oaks.
The sire, DUBAWI (b.c.2002) ex DUBAI MILLENNIUM by SEEKING THE GOLD, won 5 races from 8 starts incl. National Stakes and Irish 2,000 Guineas, The Curragh, Prix Jaques Le Marois, Deauville. Second in Queen Elizabeth ll Stakes. Third in Vodafone Derby. Champion Sire in GB & Ireland 2022. Sire of 6 GB Classic winners 2010-2024.
The dam, EZIYRA (ch.f. 2003) by TEOFILO, ex EYTARNA by DUBAI DESTINATION, won 6 races from 13 starts incl. Moyglare “Jewells” Blandford Stakes, The Curragh. She has bred 1 other winner: EZIVA b.f. 2020 by MEDAGLIA D’ORO, won 1 race from 5 starts, a Tramore Maiden over 1 mile 4 furlongs.
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For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale.