Talented gelding Yorkshire got his campaign back on track after a cardiac arrhythmia scare to defy his rivals in the Festival Stakes

After suffering cardiac arrhythmia in The Hunter two weeks ago, Yorkshire bounced back with an all-the-way-win in the Festival Stakes and now heads to The Ingham as one of the favourites.

Zac Lloyd guides Yorkshire to an all-the-way win in the Festival Stakes. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Exciting galloper Yorkshire will head into the $2 million The Ingham as one of the favourites after getting his campaign back on track at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained galloper gave those associated with the horse a scare when failing to beat a runner home in the $1 million The Hunter at Newcastle two weeks ago when heavily backed.

A post-race inspection revealed the horse had suffered an episode of cardiac arrhythmia and was forced to a series of tests to take his place in Saturday’s $250,000 Group 3 Festival Stakes (1500m).

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“I thought one of the contributing factors what happened to him at Newcastle was he was unsaddled behind the gates and I think he got a little upset, he got out of his rhythm,” O’Shea said.

“All those things probably continued to what wasn’t a good day for him.

“Today we were mindful we had all our tees crossed and out eyes dotted in terms of what happened before the race, what went on down the back stalls and what went on, on the track.”

Yorkshire was sent out the $2.70 favourite for the quality handicap and jumping from the inside barrier, the Snitzel gelding found himself in front for the first time since his first racing campaign back in the first half of 2024.

“I was quite concerned coming into the race because there was a chance he could lob in behind a couple of horses that weren’t going to take him too far.

“The concern was he was going to be in the gates for a long time from one and he might have been a bit tardy away which would have given the opportunity for horses that are wider in the market to cross him and that would have presented with some issues.

“Once he jumped very well, Zac (Lloyd) did the right thing and controlled the race.”

Yorkshire was never headed and led throughout and although getting tired late he held on to score by a neck from the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Arctic Glamour ($8.50) with a further short neck to Scott Singleton’s eye-catching finisher Melody Again ($31).

Yorkshire all the way!

He fends them all off in the G3 Festival Stakes giving @ZacLloydx a treble 🥇🥇🥇@JohnOSheaRacingpic.twitter.com/RSZnUjHjJW

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) November 29, 2025

• Home-bred mare Flying For Fun scorches to Starlight Stakes glory

Yorkshire’s win was Lloyd third for the day after victories aboard Flying For Fun in the Starlight Stakes and Lyles.

“It was very important to jump like we did, especially when you’re on a horse that likes to gallop from barrier one,” Lloyd said.

“Executing is so important, and he did that today.

“Watching the replay, he stretched them right out but it didn’t feel like that underneath me, he just felt like he was in a rhythm and when he does that he’s a very good horse.

“He’s still learning, there’s plenty of upside. Mentally he’s still a bit of a baby but today will do him the world good heading to The Ingham in two weeks’ time.”

TAB.com.au formed Yorkshire’s quote for The Ingham from $6 into $4.50 following the win while Arctic Glamour remained a $15 chance with Melody Again’s quote halved from $51 to $26. The Gong winner Gringotts remains the $2.50 favourite.

Shortly after the race Zac Lloyd found himself answering a careless riding change over his handling of Lyles in the Stowe Australia Handicap.

He pleaded going to allowing Lyles to shift in, near the 700m, causing Snack Bar to be checked.

Lloyd will return from suspension to ride Yorkshire in The Ingham.

Originally published as Talented gelding Yorkshire got his campaign back on track after a cardiac arrhythmia scare to defy his rivals in the Festival Stakes