Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère
The remainder of Oratorio's racing career was conducted exclusively at Group 1 level. In October he was sent to France to contest the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère over 1400 metres at Longchamp Racecourse. Spencer produced the 5/2 second favourite with a strong challenge in the straight, taking the lead in the closing stages and winning in a three-way photo-finish from the French colts Early March and Layman. Having won the most prestigious French event for two-year-old colts, Oratorio was sent to Newmarket Racecourse two weeks later for Britain's most important juvenile race, the Dewhurst Stakes over seven furlongs. He started at odds of 15/2 and finished second of the nine runners behind the Mark Johnston-trained Shamardal, beaten two and a half lengths.