Yorkshire Oaks target for Star Catcher

Graham Clark
July 15, 2020 1:52 pm

Classy filly won three Group Ones last season.

John Gosden has earmarked next month’s Darley Yorkshire Oaks as the first target for multiple Group One winner Star Catcher ahead of a potentially busy autumn campaign.

Last year’s Irish Oaks heroine is being readied to make her comeback in the 12-furlong contest, which could potentially see her clash with stablemate, and dual Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner, Enable.

The daughter of Sea The Stars established herself as one of the best middle-distance fillies in training after adding to her Curragh Classic success with further top-level triumphs in the Prix Vermeille at ParisLongchamp and on Champions Day at Ascot in October.

Gosden said: “She was ready to run in Dubai and we had her all primed, but at the very last minute we decided not to put her on the plane and of course they then they basically shut down the United Arab Emirates.

“After that I let her down a bit and gave her a nice little holiday. I thought ‘don’t train her and back right away’ as there was no racing and we didn’t know when we would start again.

“After speaking to (owner) Mr (Anthony) Oppenheimer, we decided to go August onwards with her and – potentially into November.

“I want to bring her back to the Yorkshire Oaks, then potentially look at the Vermeille again.

“She is in the Arc and there is Fillies & Mares Stakes back at Ascot and we would even think of the Breeders’ Cup.”

Having given Enable a racecourse gallop at Newmarket’s July Course ahead of her return in the Eclipse, Gosden has not ruled out doing something similar with Star Catcher, who also struck gold in last season’s Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.

He added: “I might give her a racecourse gallop before the Yorkshire Oaks, but she is pretty simple and gets herself ready.

“We might pop her down at the July Course before going to York, though.”