'I'm not sure any of us expected her to win like that' - You Got To Me gives Ralph Beckett second Irish Classic

The most competitive and open Juddmonte Irish Oaks for many years produced an exciting race and a game winner in You Got To Me, who gave trainer Ralph Beckett his second Irish Classic and rider Hector Crouch his first Classic.

It was Crouch's first winner in Ireland and second Group 1 winner in Ireland this season for Beckett after the victory of Bluestocking in the Pretty Polly Stakes last month. That filly was narrowly beaten in this race last year. 

The trainer's previous Classic success in Ireland came when Westover won the Irish Derby in 2022 under Colin Keane.

Last year's misfortune was still on the mind of Beckett, who said: “It was a tough day here last year when Bluestocking was mugged in this race, so it was great to get this filly to win today. I'm not sure any of us expected her to win like that, but it makes it all the sweeter.

“She settled really well today. One thing we did differently was put the tongue-strap on her and it gave her something extra to think about and it made the difference. 

"Hector had to battle for every pocket and every bit of ground; but that's her, she's a battler. To do what she did at Lingfield, to run well at Epsom and again at Ascot, and then come here, all since the beginning of May, takes a bit of doing.”

He added: “We have seen a difference in her over the last fortnight. She travelled over really well and got here in really good shape. She is in pretty much everything bar the St Leger. She could go for the Yorkshire Oaks and I think York will suit her well.”

Crouch said: “I got knocked over coming out of the stalls. I wanted to go forward but I had to ride her from where I was. I got a nice enough run round and was able to edge off the fence from three to run. I had a nice passage from two and a half down and it was just a case of being good enough to hold on.

Hector Crouch: with his Irish Oaks trophy Credit: Patrick McCann

“I thought this track would suit her better than Epsom or Ascot. We put the tongue-tie on her today. She doesn't have a wind issue or anything, it was purely to make her back off a little bit and give me some more help.

"Credit to Ralph. He suggested it to me on Thursday morning and he was spot on. That was the best she has raced for me and I would like to think that we are not done yet.”

In a fascinating race, the winner was in mid-division after being slightly hampered at the start, but got a reasonable run through horses in the straight to take command well inside the last furlong. 

Ryan Moore on the favourite Content, came from further back and followed the winner through, finishing strongly in second while never really making any impression on You Got To Me. 

Three-quarters of a length separated the fillies at the line, with the Paddy Twomey-trained Purple Lily third, just failing to stay. Outsider Elizabeth Jane came home strongly to take fourth place for Dermot Weld.

With Content and Ribblesdale winner Port Fairy in the race, Aidan O'Brien was strongly represented and Moore was proved right as his decision to ride Content raised an eyebrow or two.

O'Brien said: “She ran very well. It's actually a race we have finished second in quite a lot. Ryan said she is made for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, and she ran well in America last year, so she might have one more run and go there. Port Fairy was disappointing. She might not be as much of a slogger as we thought, so we might drop her back to a mile and a quarter.”

Dropping in trip is also what Twomey has in mind for Purple Lily. “The ground is probably quick enough for her. Back over a mile and a quarter on softer ground could see her in a better light again," he said. "She's a filly that's only really starting off. She has come forward from the Guineas and we are delighted with her.”

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