Yeats takes Prix Royal-Oak

Champion stayer Yeats ended his French jinx by landing the Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp on Sunday.

Ballydoyle stayer wins Longchamp Group One

Champion stayer Yeats ended his French jinx by landing the Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp on Sunday. The seven-year-old was given a positive ride by Johnny Murtagh, who returned from the Breeders' Cup in time to take the ride, and the pair held the late challenge of Sir Michael Stoute's Allegretto and Godolphin's Veracity. Twice beaten in the Prix de Cadran, including last time out, Yeats was asked to track pacemaker Mikhail Fokine and the rest of the field were surprisingly content to sit off the pace. But Murtagh was able to get first run on the legendary stayer and the lead he poached entering the straight proved just enough as Aidan O'Brien's charge held on close home to provide the trainer with a 22nd Group One success in 2008.