Oaks Anniversaries in 2022

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10 YEARS AGO (2012) – Was became the fourth Oaks winner to be trained by Aidan O’Brien as she got the better of Shirocco Star by a neck in a thrilling finish. A 20-1 chance, Was gave jockey Seamie Heffernan a first British Classic success. Although she didn’t win again, Was remained a consistent performer at Group One level and her progeny at stud includes Concert Hall, a leading contender for this afternoon’s Cazoo Oaks. 20 YEARS AGO (2002) – Heavy rain resulted in the Oaks being run on soft ground, which proved very much to the liking of Godolphin’s Kazzia, who made all under Frankie Dettori. Subsequently successful in the Grade One Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park in the USA, Kazzia went on to be a successful broodmare with her progeny including Group One winner Eastern Anthem. 30 YEARS AGO (1992) – Bill Gredley’s homebred User Friendly landed the Oaks on just her third start. It was a first win in the race for trainer Clive Brittain and jockey George Duffield. A fabulous summer then saw User Friendly go on to further Group One success in the Irish Oaks, Yorkshire Oaks and St Leger. She was also the narrow runner-up in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. 40 YEARS AGO (1982) – Time Charter won in race-record time for owner Robert Barnett, trainer Henry Candy and jockey Billy Newnes. One of the very best Oaks winners of the 20th Century, Time Charter ended 1982 with victory in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket. Further Group One success came in the 1983 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and the 1984 Coronation Cup back at Epsom Downs. 50 YEARS AGO (1972) - Ginevra handed a first Classic success to trainer Ryan Price, scoring by a length and a half under Tony Murray. Originally focusing on Jump racing, Price was one of Britain’s greatest dual-purpose trainers who also sent out winners of the Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National.