Love already had two Classics to her name coming into today’s Yorkshire Oaks and she had little difficulty in making it three Group 1s on the bounce, justifying odds-on favouritism to record an easy success on the Knavesmire.
Ryan Moore settled the daughter of Galileo behind leader Manuela De Vega, who set a decent tempo, and she was still travelling sweetly entering the home straight as all her rivals came under pressure.
Love cruised into the lead with three furlongs to run and from then on it was simply a case of hands and heels riding, as she galloped on strongly to score by five lengths from outsider Alpinista.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien, celebrating a fifth Yorkshire Oaks triumph, said: “I’m delighted. I really couldn’t be happier. Everything went perfect and she won very nicely. She was very good last year and being a Galileo filly we hoped she’d improve at three and she has done.
“I don’t think we might have ever had a better filly than her. When you’re that close to them, you don’t want to be dreaming, but I think she’s been extra special all the way through.
“If she gets back home well then the Arc would be the plan. If she runs again after the Arc, then it would be the Breeders’ Cup.”
Earlier in the day, Irish raider Miss Amulet proved too good for the locals in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes. The daughter of Sir Prancealot, trained by Ken Condon, showed a fine attitude under James Doyle to defeat favourite Sacred by a length.
Friday’s action
The sprinters take centre stage on Friday with the Group 1 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (5f) the highlight of York’s seven-race card.
Last year’s winner Battaash takes on seven rivals including King Power Racing’s improving three-year-old Art Power. The son of Dark Angel, trained by Tim Easterby, recorded a bloodless victory in the Group 3 Lacken Stakes at Naas in early July and looks sure to give a good account.
Talented mare Enbihaar steps up to two miles for the first time in the Group 2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup (2m½f), in which the Mark Johnston-trained Nayef Road will provide tough opposition, while ten two-year-olds go to post for the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes (6f).
