Travel issues keep Emily Upjohn from Irish Oaks; will go to King George instead
The Irish Oaks lost its odds-on favorite Friday when Emily Upjohn was withdrawn from the race, her England-based connections citing travel complications.
Thady Gosden, who co-trains Emily Upjohn with his father, John Gosden, told overseas racing media that a plane coming from Edinburgh, Scotland, to Stansted Airport near London was intended to pick up the filly and fly her to Ireland but had been unable to make the trip after a bird strike. No other plane could be found Friday, forcing Emily Upjohn to stay home.
Instead of facing 3-year-old fillies Saturday in the Irish Oaks, Emily Upjohn now will tackle males and older rivals July 23 in the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
The King George lost its favorite late this week when Derby winner Desert Crown was ruled out of an intended start owing to what connections called a minor setback. The issue came to light Thursday when Desert Crown missed an intended piece of fast work.
Emily Upjohn won her first three starts and was nipped by a nose by Tuesday in the Group 1 Oaks at Epsom after a very difficult trip. Westover, a troubled third behind Desert Crown in the Derby and sharp winner of the Irish Derby, is a leading King George contender. The race also is expected to draw Mishriff and 2021 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Torquator Tasso.
The 1 1/2-mile Irish Oaks now has seven runners with Magical Lagoon, who likely would’ve been no match for Emily Upjohn, the strong early favorite. Magical Lagoon, trained by Jessica Harrington in Ireland, won the 1 1/2-mile Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot in her most recent start.