The so-called ‘Fillies’ Triple Crown’, which comprises the 1,000 Guineas, Oaks and St. Leger, is rarely attempted nowadays, with trainers often attempting to exploit the weight-for-age allowances for three-year-old fillies in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, rather than running in the St. Leger. In fact, the last filly to win the Fillies’ Triple Crown was Oh So Sharp, owned by Sheikh Mohammed and trained by Henry Cecil, in 1985.
Rated 131 by Timeform and therefore categorised as ‘top class’, Oh So Sharp was described by jockey Steve Cauthen, who rode her throughout her three-year-old campaign, as ‘without doubt, the best filly I have ridden.’ Unbeaten in three starts as a juvenile, the daughter of Kris was sent off 2/1 favourite for the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, but only prevailed by the minimum margin in a three-way photo finish with Al Bahathri and Bella Colora. Nevertheless, in so doing, Oh So Sharp became the first British Classic winner in the famous maroon and white silks of Sheikh Mohammed.
Stepped up to a mile-and-a-half for the Oaks at Epsom the following month, Oh So Sharp was once again sent off favourite, at 6/4, but justified her short odds in hugely impressive style. Set alight by Cauthen in the final quarter-of-a-mile, she produced a blistering turn of foot, effectively settling the race in a matter of strides and passed the post 6 lengths ahead of the nearest rival, the Irish 2,000 Guineas-winner, Triptych.
Two narrow defeats, by Petoski in the King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and by Commanche Run in the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup, now the Juddmonte International, at York, followed. Nevertheless, Oh So Sharp appeared to have a straightforward task in the St. Leger, provided she stayed a mile-and-three-quarters, of course, and was sent off 8/11 favourite ahead of her stable companion Lanfranco, ridden by Lester Piggott. Win she did, albeit in workmanlike fashion, and survived a stewards’ inquiry to claim her place in racing folklore.
A class performance from Oh So Sharp
Rated 191 by Timeform, Kauto Star was one of just a handful of steeplechasers since the early Sixties to be awarded a rating of 190 or more. In fact, according to the leading ratings organisation, he ranks joint-fourth in the all-time list, alongside Mill House and behind only Arkle, Flyingbolt and Sprinter Sacre.
Initially trained by Serge Foucher in Sennones, France, Kauto Star was sold to Clive Smith, against the wishes of his trainer, for €400,000 and transferred to Paul Nicholls at Manor Farm in Ditcheat, Somerset at the start of the 2004/05 National Hunt season. Sent over fences by his new trainer, Kauto Star made an immediate impact, easily winning a novices’ chase at Newbury on his British debut and failing by the minimum margin to follow up at Exeter, despite having fallen at the second last fence and been remounted by jockey Ruby Walsh.
Of course, Kauto Star will always be best remembered for his exploits in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which he won twice, in 2007 and 2009, and the King George VI Chase at Kempton, which he won a record five times, in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011. However, it should not be forgotten that in his long, illustrious career he won 23 of his 41 races, including 19 of his 31 steeplechases, and £2.38 million in total prize money. Having fallen at the third fence when favourite for the Queen Mother Champion in 2006, he was ever-present in the Cheltenham Gold Cup between 2007 and 2012; in 2008, he became the first horse to regain his title after finishing a creditable second to his stable companion Denman in 2008.
A well deserved tribute to Kauto Star, two-time Gold Cup and five-time King George winner.