Estrange, the favourite for the Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks, has been withdrawn from the Group One race scheduled for August 20 at York due to concerns over the ground conditions. The decision was announced by Cheveley Park Stud, the horse’s owners, who indicated the filly performs better on softer turf.

Estrange, trained by David O’Meara, recently claimed a significant victory in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh in June, winning by a length and a half over One Look. This was her second win of the season on good to firm ground, following a previous success in the Lester Piggott Fillies’ Stakes at Carlisle. Despite these wins on firmer surfaces, the owners and connections feel the mare is more at ease when the turf has been softened by rain.

Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, explained that the decision to withdraw Estrange from the Yorkshire Oaks allows the team to focus on an autumn campaign targeting other prominent races. With a Group One victory already secured this season, the stable plans to aim for key events such as the Prix Vermeille on September 9 and the Prix Jean Romanet on August 23, while also considering Ascot fixtures and the Breeders’ Cup. Estrange remains shortlisted at 16-1 odds in several outlets for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, a race she could not contest in 2025 due to a late injury.

In other news related to UK racing, Venetian Sun, winner of the Commonwealth Cup and owned in part by Tony Bloom, has been sidelined for the remainder of the racing season due to a tendon strain. The horse is trained by Karl Burke.

On the disciplinary front, jockey Rossa Ryan had a 28-day ban reduced to 10 days on appeal. Ryan received the original suspension for easing his mount, Thunder Home, during a seven-furlong maiden race at Sandown on July 23, in which Thunder Home was narrowly caught by Zero Error. The independent panel decided there was insufficient evidence to conclude the horse would have maintained victory had Ryan exerted maximum effort throughout. The reduction in ban allows Ryan to participate in York’s four-day Ebor meeting beginning August 19.