3 minute read
Anyone watching the 2017 Epsom Oaks will remember one thing about the fillies' Classic and it wasn't necessarily the winner.
2017 Epsom Oaks
1st – Enable
2nd – Rhododendron
3rd - Alluringly
A thunderstorm hit the Epsom Downs fifteen minutes before the race and caused chaos, with the American filly Daddys Lil Darling bolting to the start and jockey Olivier Peslier wisely choosing to bale out.
She was withdrawn from the race and the American experiment has not been tried again since. For pedigree-buffs, Daddys Lil Darling may be a familiar name – her first foal Savethelastdance won the Listed Cheshire Oaks for Aidan O'Brien at the start of the month.
Savethelastdance is out of Daddys Lil Darling who bolted in thunder and lightning going down to the start of Enable's Oaks with Olivier Peslier! pic.twitter.com/03U4Hj6tHF
— George Smyly (@gsmyly) May 10, 2023
Amidst the driving rain, thunder, and lightning, Enable and Frankie Dettori emerged victorious from the storm.
She had started a 6/1 shot for the Epsom Classic after a victory in the Listed Cheshire Oaks but faced Ballydoyles's hot favourite Rhododendron, who had finished second in the 1000 Guineas. The race had been run at a strong pace and both fillies were poised to strike in the final two furlongs, with Enable getting first run on Ryan Moore and Rhododendron.
As Rhododendron drew alongside, Enable showed, possibly for the first time, the true grit and determination of a champion, pulling clear to win by five lengths.
It was the start of a fairytale for Enable, which would continue for three more years and include ten more Group One victories.
The Cazoo Oaks will be contested in a couple of days LIVE on @ITV
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 2, 2021
Back in 2017 a star was born in the driving rain at @EpsomRacecourse as Enable stormed to victory
Who takes the Oaks this year? #ITVRacing pic.twitter.com/1C6LaO0kNr
