Juddmonte Irish Oaks (Group 1)

THE strength of Joseph O’Brien’s stable was clear for all to see when Johanna Walsh ran out a commanding winner of the Juddmonte Irish Oaks, with Dylan Browne McMonagle replacing Colin Keane after his intended mount, Epsom heroine Thundering On, was declared a non-runner (off feed).

With the original favourite out, Ribbesdale Stakes winner Earth Shot was sent off the 9/4 favourite, with the eventual winner returned at 7/2, after a head separated them at Ascot, where a loose horse didn’t help Johanna Walsh’s chances.

Thankfully, Saturday went much smoother for the Wells Watson-owned bay, as she settled in midfield on the outer while Wayne Lordan set the pace aboard Sugar Island.

Johanna Walsh looked the likely winner from early in the straight, as Dylan Browne McMonagle oozed with what has become a trademark confidence.

The Sea The Stars filly was last off the bridle as she led passing the two-furlong pole and was soon in control. Stablemate Rebel Moon gave chase in what looked a likely 1-2 for Joseph O’Brien.

She needed only hands and heels to draw four lengths clear on the line, as the David Menuisier-trained Inis Mor ran on well to claim runner-up honours, with three-parts of a length further back to Jim Bolger’s Sparan Nua, whose challenge was delayed due to traffic from her inside position.

Rebel Moon, the least experienced in the field, kept on to finish fourth. Amelia Earhart finished best of the Ballydoyle quintet in fifth, three lengths ahead of the British favourite Earth Shot in sixth.

Really special

“Huge performance from the filly,” said O’Brien. “I thought Dylan gave her a fantastic ride because he controlled the whole race. He felt he could do that from a mid-pack position and he really did.

“She came on the bridle between the three and the two [furlong poles]. We thought she’d like the fast ground and we felt she was in good shape coming here. “

On what the win meant to him, the trainer commented: “It’s really special to win a Group 1 and to win a classic here in Ireland, this is what we’re in the game for and this is why we do what we do. It’s a really special day.

“It was a huge run from our other filly as well, Rebel Moon, so two exciting fillies for the future.”

O’Brien went on to share that the winner would now be given a break before focussing on an autumn campaign. On the prospect of his Epsom and Irish Oaks winners clashing in the future, he commented: “If they have to take each other on, they have to take each other on – that’s horse racing, that’s first world problems.

“It’s very special to have two fillies of their calibre. To win two Oaks is extraordinary really, especially for both of them to win in the manner of two good Oaks winners.”