Even So has the measure of Cayenne Pepper in the Irish Oaks
Even So has the measure of Cayenne Pepper in the Irish Oaks

Juddmonte Irish Oaks report: Even So strikes for Ger Lyons and Colon Keane


Ger Lyons and Colin Keane landed their second Irish Classic of the year as Even So (10/1) took the Juddmonte-sponsored Oaks.

The winner, owned by the Coolmore team, tracked 2/1 favourite Cayenne Pepper to the furlong pole and just as the market leader set for sail for home, launched her own attack.

She was in front 100 yards from the finish and the daughter of Camelot powered to the line to run out a clear-cut winner, scoring by two lengths.

Passion fared best of the Aidan O'Brien team in third with Investec Oaks runner-up Ennistymon never a factor having raced in the rear of the field.

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Click the image to watch the free video replay

"She's just a Queen isn't she? She's there taking it all in, she was like that in the preliminaries. It's a pleasure when you get pedigrees like this one," the winning trainer told Racing TV.

"I love the Camelot fillies and I liked her from the very get-go. Did I think she was an Oaks filly? No I didn't but when she won the trial she earned the right to run and there we are.

"This was much more enjoyable to watch than Siskin's win in the 2000 Guineas. I just watched it with Kerri and it's strange with no people here - but I'll take it. I didn't take my eyes off her up the straight but I was never in doubt at any stage.

"I don't give instructions to the boys but today I was adamant, 'you don't take back, you don't go forward, you just ride where the horse is happy. Ride her like a good horse and hit the line strong', and she did that."

The winner is the first horse Lyons has trained for the Coolmore team.

On training a horse for the Coolmore operation, he said: "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.

"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.

"She's a very valuable filly now."

Keane said: "Her work early in the spring was very good. We fancied her in Naas, but were just on the wrong side of the track.

"The last day at Naas, stepped up in trip on better ground, she really showed her ability.

"Today I thought if we were in the first three it would be a great run so to go and win is an extra bonus.

"It was pretty straightforward. We didn't go overly mad and from the bottom of the hill we started stepping it up.

"My filly travelled everywhere and when I asked her she picked up and galloped to the line."

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