Races
Epsom Rewind: Light Shift’s finest hour in the 2007 Oaks
Sir Henry Cecil’s Light Shift produced her greatest performance in the 229th renewal of The Oaks
The late Sir Henry Cecil was renowned for his mastery and success in the flat racing world, but even the great trainer himself hit a dry patch in landing success in the British Classics.
The ten-time Champion Trainer went seven years without a Classic victory, which came to an end thanks to an unlikely source in the 2007 edition of The Oaks.
Following her win in the Listed Cheshire Oaks, Light Shift was entered as the second string of the Newmarket trainer behind race favourite Passage Of Time.
The 13/2 shot was held up in midfield for most of the contest before starting to make headway with four furlongs remaining.
The filly found herself in fourth when entering the home straight, travelling well with three furlongs left to go.
Jockey Ted Durcan kicked her on and Light Shift responded, pulling clear of the faltering All My Loving.
An epic battle between two powerhouse stables ensured, with Aidan O’Brien’s Peeping Fawn producing a burst of speed to present a challenge to Cecil’s filly.
But Light Shift found extra and held off the advances of the daughter of Danehill to win by half a length.
It would the last time the three-year-old would head to the winners’ enclosure, as she would only race three more times before being retired at the end of the season.
Did you know? Light Shift foaled the popular 2017 Coral-Eclipse winner Ulysses.
