Connections of Sparan Nua delighted with brave Yorkshire Oaks effort
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Thu 20 Aug 2026
Sparan Nua confirmed herself worthy of a place among the top fillies over a mile and a half with her brave defeat to odds-on favourite Kalpana in the Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks.
Jim Bolger secured his first Yorkshire Oaks success with Condessa in 1981, but had to wait 27 years for his second with Lush Lashes before Pleascach’s win in 2015.
The daughter of Dawn Approach did her best to add to that roll of honour for the County Carlow yard after Kalpana reeled in Aidan O’Brien’s pacemaker Sugar Island, who still had a huge advantage with three furlongs to go.
Kalpana powered clear, but Sparan Nua – who was third in Irish Oaks – was a determined pursuer and looked like she might take advantage when the Juddmonte-owned leader wandered a little as she drew level in the closing stages.
They passed the post together, with a photo-finish handing Kalpana’s trainer Andrew Balding his second Group One victory of this week’s Ebor Festival after Item in the Juddmonte International on day one.
Connections have high targets for the runner-up, who went off at 25-1, following what was a career-best display.
Rossa Ryan gave his view on Sparan Nua's gallant performance in defeat at York.
PJ Colville, manager and racing representative for Newtown Anner Stud, said: “We are thrilled.
“We went to Leopardstown (last time) on a fact-finding mission and just wanted to drop her back to a mile – she races a little bit lazily sometimes and we thought a mile might just sharpen her up for today. That was always the plan.
“We just got a little bit squeezed a furlong and a half out and that just maybe stopped our momentum for a second, but look, we’re delighted.
“The wheels are back on. I’m not sure where we will go yet, we will speak to Jim and Maurice (Regan), but she could go to the Blanford over a mile and a quarter, the Prix de l’Opera in France and then you have the Fillies & Mares at Ascot – that could be a good target as well.
“She seemed to handle the ground, she got through it so that’s important coming into the autumn. We’re delighted, she showed a lot of guts.
“She’s a tough filly, another stride… look they are the best around so it’s good to be competing with them.”
Jockey Rossa Ryan added: “I thought I’d get him (Keane) late, the last half a furlong I saw him wandering, that’s why I switched inside and I was a bit gutted.
“This is a good filly, she was unlucky in the Irish Oaks and probably unlucky today. Just annoying I didn’t get there.
“She was OK on the ground, she didn’t mind it, but she’s that tough and hardy and she’ll give you everything. She’d run through a brick wall for you. Pleasing, but definitely a little bit of disappointment.”
Minnie Hauk, the winner of the race last year, had to settle for third this time around for Ballydoyle.
O’Brien said: “She ran very well. Sugar Island was there for everyone, so that did not affect Minnie Hauk’s performance.”
Winning jockey Colin Keane spoke to Lydia Hislop on Racing TV.
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