When asked to name a trainer most likely to launch a mob-handed assault on a British Classic contest, most racing fans would plump for Ballydoyle supremo Aidan O’Brien or perhaps Godolphin number one Charlie Appleby. Few, if any, would name Hampshire handler Ralph Beckett. However, ahead of the 2024 edition of the 1m4f fillies event on 31 May, there looks to be a fair chance that Beckett may outnumber the Ballydoyle and Godolphin juggernauts.
Beckett seems certain to have more runners than Appleby, with the Newmarket handler appearing content to rely solely upon Dance Sequence. The competition between Beckett and O’Brien may be far closer; 10 days before the race, both Beckett and O’Brien held six entries.
O’Brien is regularly multiply-represented in a Classic contest, but five or six would be a stretch even by his standards. However, reports suggest that Beckett is fully prepared to launch a five-pronged assault on the flagship event of the fillies season.
No Stranger to Oaks Success
53-year-old Beckett has tasted success with horses of both sexes but is particularly renowned for his magic touch with fillies: five of Beckett’s six British Group 1 victories were achieved by fillies – most notably 2015 St Leger heroine Simple Verse, and his Oaks-winning duo Look Here (2008) and Talent (2015). Could this be the year he lands the Oaks hat trick? He certainly won’t fail for the want of trying.
Ralph’s Fabulous Five
Let’s take a closer look at the Beckett contenders, starting with the shortest-odds option.
Forest Fairy
Sired by Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Waldgeist and a perfect two from two to date, Forest Fairy booked her ticket when landing the Cheshire Oaks in May. The likely mount of Rossa Ryan is currently the shortest-priced British contender at around the 10/1 mark.
You Got To Me
By Nathaniel and out of the mare Brushing, who won at listed level over the Oaks 1m4f trip, You Got To Me is another with an appealing pedigree for the task at hand. Posting a career-best effort to score in the Lingfield Oaks Trial on her seasonal return, she seems likely to make a bold bid from the front.
Seaward
Behind Forest Fairy in the Cheshire Oaks and well beaten in the 2023 Group 1 Fillies’ Mile, Seaward would appear to have a lot on her plate. However, she is by the great Sea The Stars, whose runners regularly improve with experience, and has reportedly impressed Beckett with her homework since that Chester defeat.
Classical Song
If Beckett sends four to post, this daughter of Lope De Vega appears most likely to round out the quartet. On the formbook, she looks well worth her place in the field. Beaten by only four lengths in the Fillies Mile, she was a big eyecatcher when staying on for third in the Musidora Stakes, suggesting a strongly run 1m4f may suit.
Treasure
Being by Mastercraftsman and out of a mare unraced beyond 1m2f, Treasure doesn’t make as much appeal as her stablemates on breeding and is the least likely to rock up at Epsom. However, with Beckett rating her a 40-60 chance to run, she may round out the quintet and showed promise when third behind You Got To Me at Lingfield.
