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| Staff Writer |
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Irish Oaks victor You Got To Me is eyeing the Yorkshire Oaks next month, a race that could pave the way for a potential Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe bid later this year.
The Ralph Beckett-trained Nathaniel filly began her season with a win in the Lingfield Oaks Trial, setting the stage for her fourth-place finish in the Epsom Oaks. She repeated this placing in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot, where she raced keenly.
However, the addition of a tongue-tie for her second Classic attempt proved transformative. Racing more professionally, You Got To Me delivered a memorable triumph for her team at the Curragh.
With stablemate Bluestocking likely heading to the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes this weekend, You Got To Me is well-positioned for the York race on August 22. A strong showing there could validate her entry in Europe's most lucrative middle-distance event in Paris on October 6.
“I think the logical step is definitely York,” said Alex Elliott, racing adviser to owners Valmont, who jointly own the filly with Newsells Park Stud.
“York seems a very sensible slot and providing she is doing everything right and pleasing Ralph then that is the next target.
“She will be taking on older fillies for the first time and it looks like Emily Upjohn will possibly be going there, but Bluestocking might be running at Ascot this weekend if the ground isn’t too quick.
“She will be having to take on some elders, but I think the track will suit her and as long as there’s some pace in the race and she’s able to relax, which is a key thing for her. She didn’t relax at Lingfield, but her class got her through it and she didn’t relax again in the Ribblesdale.
“I think going to York on a flat track, a mile and a half, and against elders – it is going to tell us exactly where we are at.
“She’s rated 111 now and if that went well then we would probably be looking at the Arc. As a 3YO filly with all the allowances she would then be a nice fit for the Arc.”
You Got To Me's Irish Oaks triumph marked a significant milestone for Anthony Ramsden of Valmont, who is still relatively new to racehorse ownership. This Classic victory not only brought him his first taste of top-level success but also validated his investment strategy. The filly, purchased as a yearling for 200,000 guineas, has blossomed into a formidable 3YO, proving the soundness of Ramsden's approach to acquiring and developing young talent.
“It’s what we’re all in it for and it was a great day from top to bottom,” continued Elliott.
“Anthony Ramsden is Valmont and we buy 3YO types as yearlings and it takes a lot of patience.
“We only started doing it in 2021 and she was bought in 2022, so it was only the second round of horses we bought and for her to do it so early on is very special.
“It can take a lifetime to win a Classic and a lot of people don’t get to do it, so we’re feeling very blessed to have done it so early.”
It was also a first Classic for jockey Hector Crouch, a major part of both Beckett and Valmont’s operation, and someone who had only ridden at the Curragh for the first time in the preceding Sapphire Stakes.
Elliott added: “Hector has been fantastic for us from the get-go.
“Ralph has got a lot of jockeys down there that alternate a lot of the time and can be at different meetings. We wanted consistency so nailed our colours to the mast of Hector and he’s been nothing short of brilliant for us, not only bringing these horses along, but delivering when we need him to.
“It was actually only his second ride at the Curragh, he rode in the race before in the sprint, but it was his first ride on the round track and what a ride he gave her.”