Father and son training team John & Thady Gosden looked to hold the aces in the pack ahead of the 2022 edition of the premier fillies classic, with Emily Upjohn and Nashwa filling the top two positions in the betting market. Emily Upjohn, in particular, arrived in mighty form, having routed the field in the Musidora Stakes on her most recent racecourse appearance.
Irish champion trainer, Aidan O’Brien, looked the most likely to upset the Gosdens, with his quartet of entries headed by the Galileo filly, Tuesday, who had already finished placed in both the English and Irish 1000 Guineas. Also in the mix were the sole Godolphin runner, With The Moonlight, and the improving Tranquil Lady from the yard of Joseph O’Brien.
Result
- 1st – Tuesday 13/2, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- 2nd – Emily Upjohn 6/4F, Jockey: Frankie Dettori, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
- 3rd – Nashwa 4/1, Jockey: Hollie Doyle, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £311,905
- 2nd – £118,250
- 3rd – £59,180
- 4th – £29,480
- 5th – £14,795
- 6th – £7,425
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £8.45
- Tote Places – 1st – £2.20, 2nd – £1.25, 3rd – £1.85
- Exacta – £28.30
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £16
- Trifecta – £121
- Tricast – £44.90
Recap
An eventful start saw With The Moonlight, Thoughts Of June, and Tranquil Lady quickly make their way to the head of affairs. However, hot favourite, Emily Upjohn, almost completely missed the break and found herself with lengths to make up on the leaders almost immediately.
There was very little change in the order as the field turned into the straight, with the three early leaders being the first to kick for home. But would their front-running tactics take their toll? The signs certainly looked ominous approaching the final furlong, with Emily Upjohn and Tuesday launching their challenges down opposite sides of the track.
It was Ryan Moore who seized the initiative in asking Tuesday for everything to open up a lead. There was still time for Emily Upjohn to respond though, and the mount of Frankie Dettori did so admirably to charge home up the stands side, resulting in a real head-bobber as the two flying fillies hit the line.
A photograph was required to determine the result of a thriller, with Tuesday being crowned the victor by just a short head. The second of the Gosden runners, Nashwa finished best of the rest for third.
For Aidan O’Brien this was an impressive 10th success in the Oaks, bringing him to within three of Robert Robson for the all-time lead. We saw yet another excellent ride from Ryan Moore, who made it Oaks win number four.
Runners
- 1. Concert Hall – SP: 15/2 , Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Seamie Heffernan
- 2. Emily Upjohn – SP: 6/4F, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden, Jockey: Frankie Dettori
- 3. Kawida – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Ed Walker, Jockey: Jim Crowley
- 4. Moon De Vega – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Ralph Beckett, Jockey: Rossa Ryan
- 5. Nashwa – SP: 4/1, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden, Jockey: Hollie Doyle
- 6. Rogue Millennium – SP: 22/1, Trainer: Tom Clover, Jockey: Jack Mitchell
- 7. The Algarve – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Colin Keane
- 8. Thoughts Of June – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Wayne Lordan
- 9. Tranquil Lady – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien, Jockey: Tom Marquand
- 10. Tuesday – SP: 13/2, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Moore
- 11. With The Moonlight – SP: 11/1, Trainer: Charlie Appleby, Jockey: William Buick
Non Runners
All Ran