Brave Win For Pleascach In Darley Yorkshire Oaks

Pleascach recorded a second Group One success with a game victory in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks over a mile and a half at York, UK, on Thursday, August 20.

The Jim Bolger-trained filly, successful over a mile in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh in May, broke well and settled in second behind Covert Love after a furlong and a half.

Pleascach was asked to deliver her challenge by Kevin Manning approaching the final quarter-mile and the daughter of Teofilo ran on bravely to collar Covert Love in the dying strides and score by a neck in 2m 32.77s on good to soft ground.

Jim Bolger commented: "We have previously tried to settle Pleascach a little bit and it meant breaking her stride when there was no pace. Kevin decided today that, whatever happened, he was never going to break her stride.

"He gave her a beautiful ride and we knew that she was at the top of her game coming here.

"I will talk to John Ferguson and see how she comes out of this race but she might go to Longchamp for the Prix de l'Opera in October."

Kevin Manning added: "Pleascach has battled it out well and she was actually going away at the line. She has done it very, very well.

"I was a little disappointed with her in the Pretty Polly, when I thought she didn't run up to scratch, and ran a little bit flat in the Ribblesdale Stakes. I rode her in work last week and I thought that she was back to her best."

John Ferguson, Bloodstock Advisor to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, said: "Pleascash disappointed in the Ribblesdale Stakes and the Pretty Polly Stakes but she has really come back to her best.

"She is a beautiful filly with a lot of scope. It is fantastic to go and win the Irish 1,000 Guineas and then go and win over a mile and a half here.

"Kevin was very keen to let her get into a rhythm today and let her use her stride. I think it was a combination of that and the ground being kinder today that allowed her to really stretch.

"I wasn't sure that she would get there a furlong out because she had a length and a half to make up on a very, very good filly but she did.

"You have to give credit to Jim, who said beforehand that he thought Pleascach was back where she needed to be. He is a remarkable man and a remarkable trainer - we are all very lucky to be associated with him."

Pleascach is Godolphin's third winner of the Darley Yorkshire Oaks following Punctilious (2005) and Blue Bunting (2011).