Joy for Weinfeld as Anapurna scales heights with thrilling Oaks success

If owner-breeder Mark Weinfeld had slipped into Epsom's infield for a taste of the funfair he would not have come anywhere near to experiencing the thrills and spills he got from Anapurna's Oaks triumph and the ride is far from over with Telecaster a live contender for Saturday's Investec Derby.

A winner of the Lingfield Oaks Trial, the John Gosden-trained Anapurna went off an 8-1 shot under Frankie Dettori, who later said he did not have the perfect position, but he had the perfect partner in the willing daughter of the mighty Frankel, who denied Pink Dogwood by a neck with Fleeting third at 25-1.

It was a fifth Oaks for Dettori – 25 years after his first on Balanchine – and a third for the Newmarket trainer, but it was a key strike at the highest tier of Flat racing for Weinfeld and his sister Helena Ellingsen.

The first prize of £297,727 was the last thing on their minds, but there is no doubt it will come in handy having shelled out £85,000 on Monday to supplement Dante winner Telecaster to the Derby field.

Weinfeld, whose father Egon's love affair with the sport started in 1979 with 1,000 Guineas heroine One In A Million, said: "It's unbelievable, what a result. I didn't think we'd get there and I'm quite speechless actually. We've come close before in the Oaks with Shirocco Star, Izzi Top and Jazzi Top.

"John has always said he liked Anapurna and she won her trial well, but we didn't know how good she was and whether she'd handle the course, but she did it nicely and Frankie gave her a super ride."

Frankie Dettori celebrates victory in the Oaks on AnapurnaCredit: Alan Crowhurst

That ride – tracking the leaders before edging right and rallying – prompted Gosden to describe Dettori as a slippery character for avoiding the trouble that cost stablemate and 11-4 favourite Mehdaayih, who finished seventh under Robert Havlin.

A typically slow-burning Oaks winner who was ninth of 13 at Wolverhampton two days after Gosden was finishing his Christmas pudding, Anapurna flourished on her next start in minor company at Lingfield before making a positive impression in her Classic dress rehearsal.

She backed that up on the biggest stage, prompting Gosden to praise the journey she had made in such a short space of time before stressing the vital role the owner-breeders had played, and not just in this enduring contest.

"It's important to note breeding horses is a nightmare," said Gosden, in such passionate flow he could have been throwing his hat – a neat Panama, of course – in the ring for Britain's next Prime Minister.

Frankie Dettori performs a flying dismount from AnapurnaCredit: Mark Cranham

"It's the toughest thing. My wife and I have tried and things go wrong all the time. For owner-breeders like Mark and Helena to breed an Oaks winner, having gone through all the nightmares – breeding, getting mares in foal – is a great test of faith and without them there would be no proper racing; we've got to remember that.

"It's a testament to Mark and Helena and in a sense they're the most important ingredient in this, along with the filly."

Weinfeld was not holding a bold marker pen, but a glass of champagne, although he underlined Gosden's point by revealing Anapurna's dam Dash To The Top had not been able to get in foal for the last two years and they had lost a half-sister to Izzi Top and Jazzi Top.

"There are huge downs and if you weren't optimistic all the time, and were glass half-empty you probably wouldn't do it," he added.

"You got to be able to go with the punches and days like this are what we all live for."

Life will become even sweeter should Telecaster strike and the part-owner, sporting Anapurna's colours among his attire, has his wardrobe sorted for Saturday.

"I've got the lucky tie from York, an orange and black one, but I've got a white shirt so it'll be all right with the top hat and tails," he continued.

"I think to get two in would be asking too much, so I just hope he runs well."

Dettori, on top form in the post-race press conference, made the point that not riding the favourite took the pressure off and he could enjoy things.

It was a line, with a dream Epsom double in reach – Telecaster is as short as 7-2 for the Derby with BoyleSports – not lost on a delighted Weinfeld.

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