Tom Charlton was only five years old when John O’Shea claimed his first Group victory in the 2000 Villiers Stakes, but the pair shared the spotlight on Saturday as Yorkshire delivered them the modern equivalent, The Ingham (1600m), at Randwick.
The victory marked O’Shea’s fourth win in the prestigious summer mile and Charlton’s first since officially joining him as co-trainer, although he was part of the operation when O’Shea last claimed the race in 2022.
“I remember we had one-two a few years ago with Kirwan’s Lane and Lion’s Roar so very special,” Charlton said.
Yorkshire ($3.90 fav) again proved he is a rising star, notching his eighth win from just 11 appearances. He surged clear at the top of the straight and held on comfortably by three-quarters of a length over Estadio Mestalla ($9.50), with last year’s winner Robusto ($26) finishing third a further 1-1/4 lengths behind.
The performance capped a remarkable turnaround after Yorkshire’s campaign began with a last-place finish in The Hunter (1300m) when diagnosed post-race with heart arrhythmia.
Charlton said the stable worked tirelessly to resurrect the gelding’s preparation, which saw him win the Festival Stakes (1500m) and become the first horse since Monton in 2011 to complete the Festival Stakes–Ingham double.
“We were in a spot of bother after his first-up run and full credit to everyone and the processes that took place,” Charlton said.
“We were confident we were going to bounce back, but whether we were going to get to a grand final four weeks later able to produce a performance like that was up for debate.
“His record sums him up as a horse. Up the running there, he was having a look around. I think he’s not the finished article yet, which is exciting.”
Victory also earned Yorkshire a ballot exemption into the Doncaster Mile (1600m), a race the team is seriously considering.
“He will have to keep improving but it’s the type of race we will look towards, for sure,” Charlton said.
Zac Lloyd secured the first leg of a feature double aboard Yorkshire before returning to win the Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) on Weeping Woman for Joe Pride.
Lloyd agreed that Yorkshire still had upside, though he said picking between him and Group 1 winner Linebacker in future assignments was a matter for the stable.
“The O’Shea-Charlton team has another good horse (Linebacker) who fits that profile, so I’ll leave it up to them and whatever they want me to ride, I’ll be more than happy to ride,” he said.
Gringotts, the $4.40 second favourite, beat only two home, but jockey Nash Rawiller felt there were excuses.
“Great effort . . . I felt on the firmer ground he couldn’t show the turn of foot he’s shown his previous two runs.”
O’Shea’s earlier wins in the race came with Grey And Gold (2000) and On A High (2003).
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