Donnacha O'Brien celebrates aboard Forever Together
Donnacha O'Brien celebrates aboard Forever Together

Investec Oaks: Forever Together beats favourite Wild Illusion


Donnacha O'Brien landed his second Classic winner of the season as Forever Together (7/1) got off the mark in style by landing the Investec Oaks.

Aidan O'Brien saddled five of the nine runners and all of them held a chance turning for home, as Bye Bye Baby kicked clear from the front under Wayne Lordan.

Wild Illusion, sent off 5/2 favourite for Charlie Appleby, threatened to ruin the Ballydoyle party as she went out in pursuit of the leader, but Forever Together was now rolling on the rail and stayed on powerfully to score by four and a half lengths.

It was a first success for the Galileo filly, who had finished second to Magic Wand in the Cheshire Oaks and reversed that form in no uncertain terms in a race which proved all about stamina.

Wild Illusion got the trip well to take second with Bye Bye Baby, who had been as many as eight lengths clear at one point, holding on resolutely for third.

Donnacha O'Brien told ITV Racing: "She was very impressive. I got a beautiful trip through, I followed Ryan (Moore, on Magic Wand) and he gave me a bit of company until I got to the rail.

"She's very genuine and galloped right out to the line, she's a proper staying filly."

He added: "I should have been closer at Chester, we just ran into a bit of trouble. About a week ago I thought she had a right good chance and then the rain came so I was a bit worried, but she's handled it really well.

"To be honest, I didn't expect her to do it. I had the perfect position the whole way. It all went perfect.

"When you're riding one of his (his father's) you have a chance, he's an absolutely genius. He can do things with horses I don't understand, he brings out massive improvement and I don't know how he does it."

Aidan O'Brien said: "It's incredible, I'm so delighted for everyone, so thankful to Michael (Tabor), John (Magnier) and Derrick (Smith), it's brilliant for everyone.

"She caught the eye at Chester, she's a staying filly and got the trip very well.

"She's obviously by Galileo and it's unbelievable. Donnacha gave her an unbelievable ride, it's incredible.

"We're all so happy and grateful."

Forever Together on her way to victory

Looking to future plans for the winner, O'Brien added: "I think it will be the Irish Oaks next, we'll see what the lads want to do, but that's what you'd be thinking. She'd love the Curragh, you'd imagine.

"I was very happy with all the fillies really. Donnacha rides her in her work and rode her at Chester and she was the filly he wanted to ride, Ryan couldn't get off his filly as he was delighted with her at Chester.

"It's incredible what Donnacha is doing and we're grateful to a lot of people who work hard every day, we really appreciate it. Donnacha has always been a very good rider, he's very cool, he rides a lot of work at home, but he's only 19.

"He's a tall fella, we're very grateful to him, he's very confident, he's been watching racing since he opened his eyes so tactically he's very aware. He can make his own decisions and stand by them."

Trainer Charlie Appleby said of Wild Illusion: "She ran a very creditable race. The winner looks to have outstayed us.

"She got a good run into it, but I thought the leader had skipped clear. She has just been outstayed, it's as simple as that.

"When William (Buick) made his move I thought she was going to go through with it. William said she was not comfortable coming down the hill. She came there to win her race, but the winner has outstayed us and was the better horse on the day.

"I don't think we've lost too much in defeat."

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