Gosden's 'Star' Sparkles in French Oaks

Hampered and well-beaten in the Investec Epsom Oaks (Eng-I) nine days prior, Star of Seville roared back for a convincing victory in the Prix de Diane Longines (Fr-I, French Oaks) June 14 at Chantilly. 

 

Close up behind pacesetter Clarmina after breaking from post 15 in the 17-horse field, Star of Seville was ready to roll turning into stretch for Frankie Dettori and smoothly flicked away that rival to take control. She maintained her advantage through stretch as supplemented Physiocrate launched a late bid, but ultimately was no threat.

 

Star of Seville won by a length and covered 2,100 meters (about 1 5/16 miles) in 2:05.60 over turf rated good.

 

Little Nightingale was third, three-quarters of length behind Physiocrate. Unbeaten favorite Queen's Jewel, starting widest of all and keen to race before settling in midfield, was never a factor and faded in the final furlong to finish 11th.

 

Star of Seville came into the race having finished ninth in the Epsom Oaks June 5. She led for a long time in the race, but was hampered in the late stages and had to check under William Buick, losing her momentum. 

 

"She went very, very slowly (at Epsom) and ran for a furlong and a half up the hill and got knocked over," winning trainer John Gosden told England's Press Association about the Epsom Oaks run. "It was a very expensive piece of work, but she came out of it almost angry she didn't have a race."

 

Gosden said, because Star of Seville did not get her run at Epsom, he thought her chances were excellent in the French equivalent.

 

"I left her in the first few days (at Chantilly) and I called (owner and breeder) Lady Bamford and said, 'This filly is in great form, she is back to her racing weight, please can I run her as she didn't have a run at Epsom,'" Gosden said. "I said, 'I know it isn't the normal way to prepare a horse, but please can I run her?' and she was very sporting and said yes."

 

The British-bred Star of Seville has four wins and a third from six career starts, including the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (Eng-III) May 13 at York, prior to the Epsom Oaks. She is from the third crop of Duke of Marmalade, a son of Danehill who last year was acquired by Drakenstein Stud to stand in South Africa after standing at Coolmore Stud in Ireland.

 

Star of Seville's dam is the winning Selkirk mare Stage Presence, also the dam of group I-placed stakes winner English Ballet, by Danehill Dancer. Stage Presence is a half sister to Irish group II winner Rum Charger, who is the dam of U.S. multiple grade I winner Winchester.

 

Gosden and Dettori teamed last week to win the Investec Epsom Derby (Eng-I) with Golden Horn.