Juddmonte Irish Oaks (Group 1)

HIS wait for a first classic victory must have seemed interminable but his quest for a second was over almost as soon as it had begun. Ger Lyons made it two classics in the space of four weeks as Even So realised the considerable potential that had been in evidence from an early stage of her career.

A month on from Siskin’s Irish 2000 Guineas triumph, Lyons saddled two runners for the Irish Oaks which was an all domestic affair and lacked the presence of such big names as Love, Peaceful and Fancy Blue.

Even So came here off an Oaks Trial success and had shown that she could compete at the highest level when securing fifth in last month’s Irish 1000 Guineas over a trip short of her best and on ground that was probably a shade quick for her.

Nonetheless a revelatory effort was on offer last Saturday as Even So excelled on her first try at a mile and a half in a race that from Lyons’ perspective contained nothing like the anxiety that accompanied Sisikin’s triumph here last month.

Over the course of the race, the ice-cool Colin Keane enjoyed a smooth passage through on the inner and without so much as having to break stride or losing an ounce of momentum, this daughter of Camelot was able to move to the outer early in the straight to deliver her effort.

Entering the last couple of furlongs, the favourite Cayenne Pepper moved to the head of the field but Even So (10/1) had that rival covered every step of the way and Keane sent her forward to lead early in the last furlong.

Great style

From this point, victory was assured for Even So who finished out her race in great style to score by two lengths from Cayenne Pepper. Passion finished third with Laburnum fourth. The Oaks second Ennistymon ran very flat and came home at the rear of the field.

“It was lovely to watch, it was different to Siskin. I couldn’t breathe watching Siskin but with this one I enjoyed it all the way up the straight,” reflected an elated Lyons. This season Siskin came from the second crop of yearlings entrusted to him by Khalid Abdullah and this latest Group 1 triumph was achieved with the first horse has trained for Sue Magnier and Linda Shanahan.

“I just love how this filly has developed physically. Did I think she’d win? The answer is no, but she won her trial, she earned the right to be here and if you’re not in you can’t win. I never had a moment’s worry which is a strange thing to say.

“There is no pressure from the owners and they are straightforward to work for. They’ve been around a long time and know more than I do. They’ve picked us for a reason and let us do our job which makes life so much easier.”

Future plans for the winner are somewhat up in the air, with Lyons concluding: “I’d be lying if I said we had a plan, we’ll enjoy this. I genuinely didn’t think she was good enough to win an Oaks. Now I have to pay her her dues and train her accordingly.”