2012 Yorkshire Oaks

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The Fugue On Song in Yorkshire Oaks
22/08/13

1 The Fugue 2/1F
2 Venus De Milo 9/4
3 Secret Gesture 6/1
NR: Wild Coco (GER)
7 ran Distances: 4l, 3¼l, 3¾l
TIME 2m 28.29s (fast by 1.01s)

Last year's runner-up The Fugue went one place better in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks with an authoritative victory at York.

The Fugue
© Racehorse Photos

Second to Shareta 12 months ago, William Buick's mount went off the 2-1 favourite, despite a disappointing performance last time in the Coral Eclipse, when she was found to be under the weather.

The Fugue, trained by John Gosden, cruised into contention with a couple of furlongs remaining and brushed off market rival Venus De Milo with contempt as she swept four lengths clear.

Buick said: "I was so delighted for the filly that she did it that way. She showed everyone her full potential and everyone at home as they had so much confidence in her.

"It's really nice for her to do it like she did as she's shown everyone how good she is and how well she can travel. She saw the mile and a half out really well - she's awesome. She loves this ground."

Owner-breeder Lady Lloyd-Webber also won this race with Dar Re Mi in 2008, and said: "She wasn't well after the Eclipse but I'm so pleased to see her winning today. She loved the ground, and she was beaten by the thunderstorms last year. It's the same with Dar Re Mi, she was second one year and won the next."

Gosden said: "The Vermeille (Longchamp, September 15) would come into consideration, but it is a race the Lloyd-Webbers have a bit of history with after what happened to Dar Re Mi (disqualified and placed fifth when first past the post in 2009) so we'll have to see.

"After that there is the Arc and I do think she is that level. If the ground is good or faster, or even good to soft, that would be a strong possibility. She hates bottomless ground, so if it's like it was last year she won't go there.

"She went to the Breeders' Cup last year and didn't have much luck, but we'd be keen to go back.

"There is the Filly & Mare, but the mile-and-a-half race (Breeders' Cup Turf) could be more suitable for her."

Darley Yorkshire Oaks (British Champions Series) (Group 1)
£354,250 added, 3yo plus, 1m 4f, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Good to Firm