SNOWFALL
(b.f 2018)
Winner of the 2021 Cazoo Oaks Stakes
RUN on Friday, 4 June. 2020, as the Cazoo Oaks, over the Derby Course of one mile and a half and 6 yards, Epsom Downs. For three-year-old fillies, 9st 0lb. Value to winner £224,004.50.
1st SNOWFALL Frankie Dettori 11-2
2nd MYSTERY ANGEL Ben Curtis 50-1 16 lengths
3rd DIVINELY Seamie Heffernan 20-1 1¾ lengths
Also ran: 4th Save A Forest (Callum Shepherd 40-1; Santa Barbara (Ryan Moore) 5/2 Fav; Ocean Road (Oisin Murphy) 25-1; Technique (Sean Levey) 125-1; Saffron Beach (Adam Kirby) 10-1; Sherbet Lemon (Hollie Doyle) 28-1; Teona (David Egan) 12-1; La Joconde (William Buick) 40-1; Dubai Fountain (Franny Norton) 4-1; Zeyaadah (Jim Crowley) 6-1; Willow (Wayne Lordan) 22-1 (last, 39¾ lengths behind the winner). 14 ran. Time 2m 42.67 sec.
Commentary: Fourth in the 1,000 Guineas with the promise of more over further, Santa Barbara started the 5-2 favourite. Dubai Fountain now 4-1 and Zeyaadah 6-1, renewed their challenge after finishing first and second in the Cheshire Oaks, where Dubai Fountain, in receipt of 3lb, won by a length. Snowfall, an impressive winner of the Musidora at York, was well supported at 11-2.
With rain throughout the day, the 14 runners got underway. Hollie Doyle, drawn 14 on Sherbet Lemon, was quickly away to negate any disadvantage and led early from Mystery Angel, Dubai Fountain and Saffron Beach. Settling down after 2 furlongs, Mystery Angel led from Sherbet Lemon on her outside, with La Joconde and Willow, third and fourth and Santa Barbara, held up last. The order was maintained as the pace slowed in the descent to Tattenham Corner. As a result of the downpour, on leaving the Corner, the field came up the stand side and from 3 furlongs out Mystery Angel took a two lengths lead. Soon after Frankie Dettori and Snowfall forced their way through beaten horses and with Santa Barbara no longer looking a threat, turned the last 300 yards into a procession. A record 16 lengths behind the winner Mystery Angel and Divinely plugged on for the places. In a memorable interview with Lydia Hislop, Frankie described his victory as going, “Like a hot knife through butter.”
The winner was BRED by Roncon, Chelston Ire. & Wynatt; OWNED by Mr D. Smith, Mrs John Magnier & Mr M. Tabor and TRAINED by Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle, Co. Tipperary.
The winner, SNOWFALL (b.f), has won 3 races (from 9 starts): Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, The Curragh, Tattersalls Musidora Stakes, York, Cazoo Oaks Stakes, Epsom.
The sire, DEEP IMPACT (b.c. 2002), won 12 races (from 14 starts) incl. Hochi Hal Yayoi Sho Stakes & Satsuki Sho, Nakayama, Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger), Tenno Sho Spring & Takarazuka Kinen, Kyoto, Japan Cup, Tokyo, Arima Kinen, Nakayama.
The dam, BEST IN THE WORLD (b.f. 2013) by Galileo, won 2 races (from 9 starts): Staffordstown Stud Stakes, The Curragh, Irish Stallion Farms EBF Give Thanks Stakes, Cork. She is a full sister to the Arc and Breeders’ Cup Turf heroine Found, both out of Red Evie, winner of the Matron Stakes, Leopardstown and the Lockinge Stakes, Newbury.
SNOWFALL is her first foal.
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Note: Michael has recently published The Classics Chart 1776-2020, showing the male lineage of every Classic winner – see Michael’s BOOKS FOR SALE for more details