Second Classic winner for Hollie Doyle as Shavasana lands Italian Oaks

PA Sport Reporters
June 11, 2023 6:57 pm

Stefano Botti’s filly backs up 1,000 Guineas success in Milan.

Hollie Doyle landed a Classic success when guiding Shavasana to victory in Sunday’s Oaks D’Italia Tattersalls at San Siro racecourse.

Stefano Botti’s filly, who had previously taken the Italian 1,000 Guineas in heavy ground under Cristian Demuro, travelled sweetly on her first try at a mile and three furlongs.

Doyle’s mount, a daughter of Gleneagles, took her unbeaten record to five in defeating 11-5 favourite View Zabeel by half a length in the Group Two contest.

It was a second Classic success for Doyle, having landed the French Oaks with Nashwa last summer.

Owned by Katsumi Yoshida, Shavasana was keen in landing the Italian Group Three 1,000 Guineas over a mile a Capannelle in Rome last month, and Doyle was not about to disappoint her this time.

Having enjoyed the run of the race from the front, she stayed on well to give the Herefordshire-born rider victory on her first visit to the Milan track.

Doyle said: “It was a great result. It all went to plan, really. She was stepping up from a mile and was very exuberant over a mile.

“She travels too well usually, but Mr Botti did not want me to get in a fight with her, so I just got her into a rhythm where she was happy. She ended up in front and stayed the trip well on the quick ground, which really helped the situation.

“She is a very talented filly and I got a soft lead on the front end, so hopefully there is more to come.

“I need a British Classic now! It’s great. The people here are so passionate and the people here were so welcoming. It was great to ride a winner, especially a Classic winner for Mr Katsumi Yoshida, who owns her now. He is a very influential person in Japan.

“I met him last year and had a tour of Northern Farms, which was a great day and it is great that I can ride him a winner like this.”