Jim Bolger's Margarula left punters reeling as she ran out a shock winner of the Irish Oaks under Kevin Manning at the Curragh this afternoon.
The unconsidered 33/1 chance swept by odds-on favourite Quarter Moon at the furlong pole to give Bolger his second Irish Oaks, having previously won the race in 1983 with Give Thanks.
Bolger, who won the Epsom Oaks in 1992 with 50/1 outsider Jet Ski Lady, said, 'We were hopeful that she would run into a place. She ran well here when fourth in the Pretty Polly Stakes and we knew the extra two furlongs here today would be a big help'.
Kevin Manning, recording his first Classic success, was praised by Bolger for his winning ride and the jockey added, 'She travelled very easily throughout the race and was suited by the trip.'
The first two home pulled six lenghts clear of the Barry Hills-trained Lady's Secret, while Zafaraniya, well supported in the run up to the race, was fourth.
Irresistible Jewel, the Royal Ascot winner, disappointed and trailed in only eighth behind the Yorkshire Oaks bound winner..
Gateman, which won for the first time in two years when scoring at Yarmouth earlier this month, followed up in the Group 3 Minstrel Stakes for an absent Mark Johnston and jockey Keith Dalgleish.
The 7/2 chance ran out an easy two and a half lenght winner from One Won One with the well supported favourite D'Anjou third.
Sprint king Dandy Nicholls sent out favourite Awake to land the five furlong Rockingham Handicap by a head from Osterthase.
A gamble on Aidan O'Brein's Hidden Dragon (7/1-5/1-11/2) went badly astray but there was some good each-way support for Miss Beabea which finished a close fourth.
Caroline Cashman landed the Ladies Derby on the Dermot Weld-trained Direct Bearing. The 10/1 chance got back up on the line to pip Sabrinsky with outsider Troilus an eye catching third.
Alserna, sent off the 3/1 favourite, had every chance in the straight but faded to finish only sixth.
The winner will be part of the Weld team for Galway where he will run over hurdles.
Van Nistelrooy made a comfortable winning debut in the 2yo maiden, picking up well for Michael Kinane inside the final furlong to beat fellow newcomer Mukammal by half a length.
'We were close not to running him today on the slow ground. He ran a bit green there and will now go for either the Futurity or the Tyros Stakes back here', said trainer Aidan O'Brien.
Michael Halford continued on his winning ways when Desert Trail won the 1m handicap.
