Queen Of The Pride aims to continue her illustrious lineage with a Group One win in the Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday. As the daughter of Roaring Lion and Simple Verse, she carries a strong pedigree. Roaring Lion, trained by John Gosden like Queen Of The Pride, won four Group Ones in 2018, while Simple Verse secured Classic victories in the St Leger and on Champions Day.
David Redvers of Qatar Racing, who bred and raced the filly, said: “This filly represents years of work, and it’s exciting for the team.” Although unraced at two, Queen Of The Pride has progressed significantly this year, winning the Pinnacle Stakes and Lancashire Oaks after a promising start.
Her jockey, Oisin Murphy, who rode both her parents, believes she deserves this Group One opportunity despite stepping up in class.
John and Thady Gosden also saddle Emily Upjohn, who needs to rebound from a disappointing Nassau Stakes. The leading three-year-olds include Ralph Beckett’s You Got To Me and Aidan O’Brien’s Content, who were first and second in the Irish Oaks.
Beckett noted You Got To Me’s positive condition and fit for York, while O’Brien feels Content is still improving after strong recent performances.
The field also features Port Fairy, Mistral Star, Lava Stream, and Sea Theme. Sea Theme, returning from a Listed win in France, has Tom Marquand aboard and aims to build on her previous York success.