Burke lands first Classic with brave Laurens

Trainer Karl Burke and jockey P J Mcdonald enjoyed their first Classic success when Laurens battled her way to determined victory in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at Chantilly yesterday.

Laurens broke smartly from her wide draw in stall 12 and although she was trapped wide throughout, Mcdonald always looked comfortable as she tracked the leader Frankie Dettori on Luminate.

Turning into the home straight Laurens was still travelling strongly and Mcdonald decided to kick for home. Challenger after challenger ranged up alongside her but she fought them all off and, in the end, won with a bit in hand, beating Musis Amica by a neck.

Ryan Moore and Aidan O’brien’s Happily suffered a troubled passage, but even when they did get into the clear they could not find enough to catch the brave Laurens, finishing a close fourth.

Owner John Dance told Racing Post: “It’s fantastic! When we bought the filly this was the race we talked about, literally the day we bought her, so to actually come here and win it, it’s incredible.

“She’s talented and she’s gutsy, she’s so gutsy. She just bats them away, doesn’t she?”

Burke has always held the filly in the highest regard and maintained that the best of her has yet to be seen. Now proven over 10½ furlongs strongly run, Laurens can be expected to cope with a step up to the top races at a mile and a half.