The
previously unbeaten Sea the Stars filly Taghrooda tasted defeat for the first
time overnight in the Group I Yorkshire Oaks with a shock victory going to the
Coolmore entry Tapestry.
Taghrooda was a short priced favourite having won the Epsom Oaks and beaten her
elders in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but in the end could
not hold off the powerful finish of Tapestry.
Prepared by Aidan O'Brien, the Galileo filly was a two year-old star last
season, but failed to flatter on her seasonal return when last in the Group I
English 1,000 Guineas.
Since then she's improved at each run, with a last start second in the Irish
Oaks indicating she was on the way back.
Allowed to settle back in the field by Ryan Moore, she charged to the line to
win by half a length, her overall record now three wins from seven starts.
"She went weak from halfway in the Guineas, which was probably down to
pushing her in the spring," said trainer Aidan O'Brien.
"She had a break after that and the lads have done an unbelievable job to
get her back. What she did in the [Irish] Oaks was extraordinary and Ryan
produced her unbelievably today."
Bred on the same cross as superstar Frankel and so many other Group I stars, Tapestry
is by champion sire Galileo from Group I winning Danehill mare Rumpelstiltskin, a grand-daughter of champion mare Miesque.