Confidential Lady Lands French Oaks

Sir Mark Prescott ended a 36-year wait for a Classic win when his filly Confidential Lady won the Prix de Diane Hermes (Fr-I) at Chantilly on Sunday.

Until today, the Newmarket-based conditioner had been primarily known as a trainer of older horses. Confidential Lady added a long sought-after Classic win with an impressive 1&1/2-length victory over favorite Germance.

Germance, who was coming off a win in the Prix Saint Alary (Fr-I) in her last start, easily assumed command of the race with just over two furlongs left to run, and appeared to have the other fillies over a barrel. Jockey Seb Sanders had Confidential Lady ready to pounce, however, and the filly quickly rolled past the favorite. Queen Cleopatra came on with a late charge and just missed second by a nose.

Confidential Lady, a bay filly by Singspiel out of the Dayjur mare, Confidante, finished second to the classy Speciosa in the Stan James One Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) in early May. In her last start, however, she could do no better than sixth as the favorite in the Boylesport Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-I). In Sunday's race, Confidential Lady went to the post at 43-1 odds.

Confidential Lady's victory in the Prix de Diane Hermes also marked a first for her owner, Cheveley Park Stud. Chris Richardson, the managing director of Cheveley Park told reporters, "This is the first homebred Classic winner we have had in the Stud's colors. The filly loved the ground, which she didn't appreciate when running in the Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh. This race came a bit quick, but we decided to have a go as she was in very good form at home."

The filly has earned a bit of a vacation now, while her connections decide on future plans.