bet365 Fillies' Mile
Fillies Group 1, Newmarket 16:10
£500,000 guaranteed,
2yo only,
1m, Class 1   
Friday 13th October 2023

FormRatings

1 Ylang Ylang 9/2
2 Shuwari 3/1F
3 See The Fire 4/1
8 ran Distances: ½l, ¾l, 2¾l
Time: 1m 38.80s (slow by 2.90s)

Ylang Ylang is a Frankel Grade 1 winner for Ballydoyle, a record 6th Fillies Mile for Aidan O'Brien.

The bay filly started as a 9-2 shot and was held up by jockey Ryan Moore, following a strong pace set by stablemate Brilliant. It therefore evolved into a test of stamina, and in the later stages, Ylang Ylang managed to overtake the 3-1 favorite, Shuwari, to claim the win.

Ylang Ylang had initially been a favorite for the 1000 Guineas next year, following her victories in her first two starts. She triumphed in a Curragh maiden in June and then won the Group Three Silver Flash Stakes the following month. She was then absent from the track until September when she finished last among nine runners in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh.

In the Rockfel at Newmarket last month, she finished third, trailing the second-placed Shuwari by two and a half lengths, while Carla’s Way outperformed them both. Yet, in this latest contest, where Ylang Ylang was attempting a mile distance for the first time, she turned the tables on Shuwari in impressive fashion.

Initially, it seemed that See The Fire might secure the victory as she surged ahead well over a furlong from the finish. However, Shuwari was positioned to challenge on the stands side and took a slight lead as they approached the winning post. Ylang Ylang, on the other hand, was hitting her stride in the middle of the track and she persevered to finish half a length in front, with three-quarters of a length separating the other placed horses.

Trainers Quotes

Aidan O’Brien believed that Ylang Ylang's previous performance in the Moyglare race, where she attempted to lead from start to finish, should be disregarded. He also acknowledged that even in victory, he didn't think the filly was at her best.

He said: “Obviously the Moyglare went wrong – she ran a bit keen because she’d made the running the first twice, but when her chance was gone Ryan looked after her.

“She came here for a lovely, educational run the last day. Ryan was beautiful on her and said we should come back for this race.

“Because her season got interrupted a bit she wouldn’t have been at her 100 per cent best today. We were kind of coming here more for education for next year than today being the be-all and end-all, but I thought Ryan was really incredible on her.

“She’s classy and very brave and a very exciting filly for next year. She’s done for this season and looking at her today, she’d have no problem starting in a Guineas and could get the Oaks trip.”

SureWIn

bet365 Fillies' Mile (Fillies' Group 1)
£500,000 guaranteed, 2yo only, 1m, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Soft

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (7)     Ylang Ylang 2 9-2 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 9/2
2 (8) ½ Shuwari 2 9-2 Ollie Sangster Tom Marquand 3/1F
3 (2) ¾ See The Fire 2 9-2 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 4/1
4 (1) 2¾ Classical Song 2 9-2 Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan 5/1
5 (5) 2 Brilliant 2 9-2 A P O'Brien Gavin Ryan 25/1
6 (3) 2¼ Caught U Looking 2 9-2 Noel Meade Colin Keane 4/1
7 (4) 2 Seaward 2 9-2 Ralph Beckett Hector Crouch 28/1
8 (6) shd Ambiente Amigo 2 9-2 Michael Bell Frankie Dettori 22/1

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