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| Staff Writer |
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Hector Crouch achieved a significant milestone with his first Group One win, capturing his maiden Classic victory as You Got To Me surged through the field to claim the Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Saturday.
The Nathaniel filly, trained by Ralph Beckett, was initially positioned in mid-division but made a decisive move in the final stretch, overcoming the early pace set by Rubies Are Red. Crouch expertly guided her through a demanding race, securing victory by three-quarters of a length. Aidan O’Brien’s favourite, Content, struggled to find clear racing room under Ryan Moore, finishing second, while Paddy Twomey’s Purple Lily, ridden by William Lee, trailed a further length and a half behind.
Reflecting on his landmark win, Crouch said, “She's a horse I have a lot of faith in; I've always thought she's very good. She probably hadn't quite lived up to it yet, so for her to go and prove me right on the biggest stage, winning not only my first Group One but my first Classic, is an unbelievable feeling.”
Crouch elaborated, “I got knocked over coming out of the stalls. I'd wanted to go forward again, but that made up my mind, and I had to ride her where I was.”
He added, “I thought the track here would suit her better. I'd think she'd be better on better ground still, but she did everything wrong at Ascot and couldn’t possibly finish off after doing that. I’m just delighted for Ralph, Valmont, and the Newsells Park team. A massive amount of work has gone into getting her to this point, so a massive congratulations to them.”
Beckett, who also celebrated his first victory in the race, commented, “A tongue strap on today probably helped; it just gave her something else to think about. Hector said he had to barge through everywhere to get a position and to keep his position.
“She’s a very brave filly. The plan was to be forward and kick on from the top of the hill, but you always have to have a plan B. Hector is not a man that panics and he knew what was going to happen after five strides and rode a race to fit her.”
In the meanwhile, runner-up Content is set to target the Breeders Cup Fillies and Mares, with the possibility of one final race before her American journey. The Aidan O’Brien-trained daughter of Galileo made a notable late charge but was ultimately outpaced by You Got To Me.
O’Brien, addressing the media at the Curragh, said, “I was delighted with her run. It wasn’t for us this year, and we’ve been second in the Oaks a lot of times.
“She probably won’t go to Goodwood as the Justify filly (Opera Singer) will likely go there. She may not go to York either, as Jackie Oh, who runs here tomorrow, might be headed for the Yorkshire Oaks. Ryan said she’s made for America, the Fillies and Mares, and may have one more run before then.
“Port Fairy was disappointing and may not be a complete slogger. She might be more comfortable going back to a mile and a quarter.”