Kalpana edges Sparan Nua in thrilling Yorkshire Oaks finish

The Juddmonte mare, already a winner of last month’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, was made to work hard for her latest success, with the judge needing a photograph to separate her from the fast-finishing Irish raider.

Colin Keane was forced to launch Kalpana in pursuit of Sugar Island after the pacemaker opened up a huge advantage turning for home. Sugar Island had gone more than 25 lengths clear and traded at an in-running low of 3.9 on the Betfair Exchange.

Kalpana gradually reeled her in and cruised into the lead, but there was still plenty of drama to come.

Sparan Nua, ridden by Rossa Ryan and sent off at 25-1, finished strongly and was matched at 1.3 on the Betfair Exchange. However, Kalpana found enough to hold on by the narrowest of margins, with Minnie Hauk finishing third.

Ryan admitted he was left gutted after believing he had done enough to overhaul the winner.

“I thought I’d get her late in the last half-furlong. That’s why I switched in, and I was gutted,” he said.

“It’s unfortunate I couldn’t deliver, but she’ll have her day in the sun.

“Kalpana kept drifting right and that’s why I went left, to keep away from them. But this is a good filly. She was unlucky in the Irish Oaks and probably unlucky today.”

For Keane, the victory was another highlight in what has been an outstanding spell for Juddmonte, trainer Andrew Balding and the jockey.

“She’s so straightforward and has a massive heart,” Keane said.

“It got a bit messy with the pacemaker and she had to be the one to chase her down, but she’s all guts. I didn’t realise how far in front Sugar Island was.

“She deserves all the praise she gets.”

The victory means Kalpana has now followed up her King George success with another top-level win, further strengthening her credentials among the leading middle-distance fillies and mares.

There was little between her and Sparan Nua at the finish, but Kalpana’s determination once again proved decisive as she secured another major prize at York.