Look Here surged clear with two furlongs to go to spring a 33-1 surprise in the Juddmonte Oaks (Eng-I) at Epsom June 6.
The lightly-raced daughter of Hernando had only a maiden win to her credit going into the Oaks, but was coming off a good second in the listed Oaks Trial Stakes on May 10. In her maiden victory back in October, she defeated Doctor Fremantle, who has since captured the Bank of America Chester Vase (Eng-III) and will be one of the favorites in the Vodafone Derby (Eng-I) on Saturday.
Adored, one of the six fillies trained by Aidan O’Brien, broke alertly under Johnny Murtagh and went straight to the front. They were soon joined by stablemate Ice Queen, and the O’Brien-trained pair blazed the way over the Epsom course through the first mile.
The highly-regarded Chinese White sat just behind the leaders in third, with favorite Lush Lashes running in fourth. Look Here raced well off the pace, and was still in seventh as the field rounded Tattenham Corner and straightened for home.
Both Adored and Ice Queen began to fade as Miracle Seeker took command three furlongs out. Chinese White and Lush Lashes both came up to challenge Miracle Seeker, with Chinese White briefly grabbing the lead. Lush Lashes briefly appeared to be a threat in second, but then suddenly began to tire.
Look Here was under a full head of steam out in the center of the course, and she roared past the leaders under jockey Seb Sanders and drew off to win by 3 3/4-lengths.
Moonstone, another of the Aidan O’Brien runners, rallied from the back of the pack to finish second, 2 3/4-lengths in front of Katiyra. Final time for the 12 furlongs was 2:36.89 over a course rated as good.
The Oaks win was the first classic win for not only the jockey, but also for trainer Ralph Beckett and owner Julian Richmond-Watson. Richmond-Watson, who serves as a senior steward for the British Horseracing Authority, was ecstatic after the race, telling reporters, “It has always been my dream to win the Derby, but the Oaks is a very good second-best!”
He continued, “I have officiated here and I love the place. If I ever wanted to win a big race it would be here.”
Look Here was bred in England by her owner. She is out of the Rainbow Quest mare, Last Look.
Look Here draws off to take the Juddmonte Oaks under jockey Seb Sanders.
