"Queen Of The Pride Set for Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks: John and Thady Gosden's star filly aims for Group One glory, following in the footsteps of illustrious parents Roaring Lion and Simple Verse."
Queen Of The Pride aims to follow in the footsteps of her extraordinary parents by achieving Group One glory in the Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday.
Bred by Qatar Racing, she carries the legacy of two top-tier athletes for Sheikh Fahad al Thani: Roaring Lion and Simple Verse.
Roaring Lion, like Queen Of The Pride, was trained by John Gosden and captured four Group One titles in 2018, highlighted by a stunning performance in the Juddmonte International at York.
In 2015, under Ralph Beckett's guidance, Simple Verse secured two elite victories, winning the Classic St Leger and later triumphing on Champions Day at Ascot. Now, their daughter is poised for her own Group One opportunity at Knavesmire.
Queen Of The Pride was the Lancashire Oaks heroine @haydockraces for John and Thady Gosden, @oismurphy and @Qatar_Racing pic.twitter.com/VGpIKrLYSe
— Ashley Iveson (@AshIveson) July 6, 2024
David Redvers, Qatar Racing's manager, commented: 'It's what we aspire to in an organization like ours; breeding, raising, and racing horses at the highest levels.
'This filly represents years of hard work, and the excitement is palpable within the team.'
Unraced at two years old, Queen Of The Pride concluded her three-year-old season modestly at Leicester but has significantly improved this year. She finished second at Goodwood before winning the Group Three Pinnacle Stakes and the Group Two Lancashire Oaks at Haydock.
Redvers admits the competition at York is fierce but believes she deserves her shot, adding: 'Now is the moment, so we will see.
'No Group One race is easy, and this one is far from it, but having her in the mix with a legitimate chance is thrilling. The betting public also views her as a strong contender.'
'We're eager to see her perform.'
Queen Of The Pride's jockey Oisin Murphy said: 'I was fortunate enough to win on both her mother and her father, and she is a significant filly for Sheikh Fahad and Qatar Racing.
'Although she's moving up in class again, she's been impressive since Haydock and has earned her Group One chance.
'In the Lancashire Oaks, I positioned myself at the back, and we took the bend calmly, but she finished strongly and shows great promise.'
