Sea of Class Impresses Again in Yorkshire Oaks Win

What better birthday present could there be for a Yorkshireman than a group 1 victory at his county's biggest meeting?

And not just a victory, but a commanding performance and a most authoritative display of class.

That's Sunderland Holding's Sea of Class, who made sure that trainer William Haggas had much more to celebrate than the mere fact of turning 58.

The late-developing filly, who did not make her debut until April, is growing up fast and looked like a 3-year-old out of the very top drawer as she added to last month's success in the Darley Irish Oaks (G1) with a decisive win in the Aug. 23 Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1) at York.

The Yorkshire Oaks is a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win & You're In" race to the Filly and Mare Turf (G1T), but the connections may first be thinking about an even bigger race. There was an awful lot to like about the way she quickened clear under James Doyle Thursday to score by 2 1/4 lengths—enough to make her the new favorite for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) in many lists, quoted at just 4-1 by Ladbrokes.

The sidelined Enable took the same race en route to Longchamp success last year, and the chances are that Sea of Class will be in Paris on the first Sunday in October.

"She's not in the Arc yet, and I stress it's a yet," Haggas said. "A lot will depend on whether she stays in training at 4. The plan was always to keep her in training as she's still young, but if she wins everything this year, it might be different.

"You always hope they're going to do something like that, but she really impressed me. I don't know what happened to the others. I was only watching her, and James was coming a little bit early. But when he said go, she picked up."

Doyle was just as impressed and said: "She's getting better. I thought that was very good today, she relaxed beautifully, her manners down at the gate were much better, and I think it's all coming together nicely."

Runner-up Coronet had also chased home Enable 12 months ago, and John Gosden, who trains both fillies, said: "I think the winner's a lovely, gorgeous filly. I think the Arc is shaping up. We're very happy with our two, Cracksman and Enable, so let's hope we all go and make a race of it.

"Coronet is a solid filly, she ran her race, just ran into one that was too good. She'll freshen up and go to the (QIPCO British Champions) Fillies & Mares (G1) race at Ascot."

That race could also be the target for Eziyra, whose third-place finish delighted Dermot Weld.

The trainer said: "It was an excellent race and had the best fillies in Europe racing in it. It was a lovely ride from William Buick as he settled her nicely, and I thought for a moment we were going to win a furlong and a half down."