Coolmore's Snowfall wins Yorkshire Oaks, Breeders' Cup berth

Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor’s outstanding filly Snowfall (JPN) made a quality field of seven look ordinary, to run out as a comfortable winner of the Yorkshire Oaks (G1) on Thursday. The victory secures her a guaranteed start in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series.

Snowfall, a daughter of Deep Impact (JPN), becomes the fourth horse to gain a “Win and You’re In” berth into the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf this year, joining Queen Supreme (IRE), who won the Cartier Paddock Stakes (G1) at Kenilworth in South Africa on Jan. 9, Gran Alegria (JPN) winner of the Victoria Mile (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse in Japan on May 16 and Reina de Mollendo (ARG), who claimed the Gran Premio Pamplona (G1) in Peru on June 26.

Dual Classic heroine Snowfall had already won the Cazoo (Epsom) Oaks (G1) and the Irish Oaks (G1) by a combined 24 1/2 lengths and Thursday cleared away under Ryan Moore to win by 4 lengths as the 8/15 favorite. Albaflora (GB) chased her home in second at 16/1, with 150/1 shot La Jaconde (IRE) a further 2 3/4 lengths behind in third. Wonderful Tonight (FR) appeared not to handle the quick ground conditions, finishing fourth, as her four-race winning sequence came to an end.

It was a sixth Yorkshire Oaks win for trainer Aidan O’Brien, who was delighted with his filly’s performance. He said: “Snowfall is a lovely filly. She’s really laid back now and she’s starting to really thrive and put on weight. We think she’s going to be really ready for the autumn.

"Physically she’s doing really well and is putting on weight. She matured very well over the winter and being by Deep Impact and out of a Galileo mare, she has a great pedigree and she was always going to improve from last year.”

When asked where Snowfall will head next, O’Brien said: “I’ll see what the lads want to do but it’s very possible she could take in another race before the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1), perhaps on Arc trials day. If not, we’d be happy to take her straight to the Arc.”

It was a third Yorkshire Oaks for jockey Ryan Moore who after the race was glowing in his praise for the 3-year-old filly, saying: "She's exceptional and has improved since I last rode her. It was a true-run race but it fell apart quickly and she was left in front. She handles all ground conditions."

Snowfall, out of Best In The World (IRE), completed the 1 1/2 miles in 2:26.61 over a course listed as good.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for Snowfall to start in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, which will be run at 1 3/8 Miles on the Del Mar turf course. Breeders’ Cup will also provide a travel allowance of $40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.