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Aidan O’Brien believes Warm Heart’s Yorkshire Oaks triumph could mark the start of a global tour for a filly who “can do anything”, writes Paul Martin.

The three-year-old held off a looming Frankie Dettori on board Free Wind in a thrilling finale as James Doyle earned his first British-based victory under the Ballydoyle banner.

Dettori had upset the O’Brien favourite in Wednesday’s showpiece when Mostahdaf beat Paddington in the Juddmonte International Stakes but the veteran was this time unable to add another coveted prize to his fairytale farewell tour.

Warm Heart had shown her class in winning the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot but disappointed on her last outing in the Irish Oaks, leaving her trainer - who has now won the Yorkshire Oaks seven times - delighted with the change in fortunes.
 

“It just didn’t happen in the Irish Oaks, the ground was a little bit on the slow side and she was a little bit slowly away,” he said.

“She was lovely today and Jamie [Doyle] was over the moon with her. He has done a wonderful job with her, as have the whole team. 

“We’re so delighted, she’s a very classy filly. We saw what she did in the Ribblesdale and her only little dip was the Irish Oaks, when there were reasons for it. 

“Her work has been lovely and we are over the moon. She could go to France, she could go to a Breeders’ Cup Fillies’ Turf – she can do anything.”

Another O’Brien contender, Irish Oaks winner Savethelastdance, set off as favourite and made the early running under Ryan Moore.

But she was overhauled by her stablemate, a 9/1 shot, and Free Wind in the closing stages and Doyle hailed his filly’s ability to shine under pressure.

“The race couldn’t have panned out any better,” the winning jockey said.

“Speaking to Aidan beforehand, he said try and challenge at the furlong pole and I’m just glad we hung on. 

“She dug in, she was foot perfect and jumped well out the gates. She showed a good kick and had the tenacity to fight off Frankie.”

Savethelastdance’s next stop could be the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, a race O’Brien last won in 2016 with Found, though he did not rule out a trip to the St Leger in the meantime.

And all roads lead to Leopardstown and the Irish Champions Festival for Auguste Rodin, the Epsom-Irish Derby double winner not seen since finishing last in the King George at the end of July.

“He’s on an Irish Champion Stakes programme and we are very happy with him, everything is going lovely with him so far,” O’Brien said.