Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle completed an Oaks double at the Curragh as Johanna Walsh produced a polished performance to land the Juddmonte Irish Oaks after stablemate Thundering On was withdrawn on Saturday morning. Sent off at 7/2, the Ribblesdale Stakes runner-up seized her opportunity in decisive fashion, quickening clear in the closing stages to underline her class.

Thundering On had been expected to bid for a second Oaks success after her Betfred Oaks victory but was ruled out after failing to eat up, leaving Johanna Walsh to carry the stable’s hopes. She settled comfortably throughout, travelled strongly into the straight and, once asked to extend a furlong and a half from home, produced an immediate response.

Her acceleration settled the contest within a matter of strides before she powered home to defeat the staying-on Inis Mor by five lengths. Sparan Nua finished strongly to take third.

Earth Shot, who had finished ahead of Johanna Walsh at Royal Ascot, never became a serious contender. Looking for room in the straight, she was already beaten before suffering interference against the far rail inside the final furlong.

Irish Oaks Result

1st: Johanna Walsh (7/2)
2nd: Inis Mor (11/2)
3rd: Sparan Nua (8/1)

Winning Connections

Dylan Browne McMonagle said the race unfolded exactly as he had hoped, allowing the filly to settle and travel within herself throughout.

"It was unreal and very straightforward from the get-go. I got exactly where I would like to be and she relaxed good and I was always in control of the race. Thankfully there was a nice even gallop down into the straight and I didn't have to move on her until I straightened up.

"She's a filly with a lot of gears and when I pressed the button she put the race to bed in a couple of strides and powered away. She wasn't a bad substitute.

"She was unbelievable today, it was real push-button stuff and well done to everyone at home."

O’Brien felt the performance confirmed the impression the filly had been giving at home and suggested her Royal Ascot effort did not reflect her true ability.

"It was a huge performance and I thought Dylan gave her a fantastic ride. He kept control of the race and had a very willing partner. From the three to the two she really came alive and is a hugely exciting filly for the future.

"We thought she was training very well and we thought we had a messy enough trip at Ascot. Dylan just said she was waiting the whole way up the straight at Ascot but obviously the filly who beat us also had an interfered trip that day too so it was hard to quantify the magnitude of it.

"I thought she was a real live contender and I'm delighted for her owners. She's a daughter of Sea The Stars with a big pedigree and it's a real pleasure for me to get the opportunity to train her. To have two impressive Oaks winners is hugely exciting."

Looking ahead, O’Brien confirmed Thundering On is expected to return later in the season.

"She'll be back in the autumn. It's a pity we didn't get to see her here today but we'll have her back for the autumn."