Pink silks Colin Keane wins on Even So from Shane Foley red cap on Cayenne Pepper and Passion (Billy Lee, rails) in 3rd© Photo Healy Racing
After making the Classic breakthrough with Siskin in the 2,000 Guineas on June 12th, little over a month later Ger Lyons and Colin Keane struck again in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks with 10/1 shot Even So
Owned by Mrs John Magnier and Mrs Paul Shanahan, in the words of Keane the Camelot filly got herself “a lovely pitch in the middle of them.”
He added: “It was pretty smooth, I followed Shane Foley (on favourite and eventual second Cayenne Pepper the whole way and it didn’t take much riding from my behalf.
“I couldn’t believe how well I was travelling. Between the two and the one when I really went for her she really put her head down and really galloped the whole way to the line.”
Two lengths split them at the line and perhaps Passion also for the Coolmore owners, might have been second if she’d got a clearer run down the rail. She ended up half a length back in third.
Even So had raced in the rear of mid-division, and she was fifth at the halfway stage.
Pushed along and closer when switched left two furlongs out, the Oaks Trial victor from Naas a fortnight back was ridden to challenge over a furlong out.
Leading a hundred and fifty yards Even So kept on well to confirm the win. Ennistymon (3/1) disappointed at the back of the field.
“She's a lovely filly and she has just thrived week on week,” said Lyons.
“I was disappointed with her in Naas when she got beaten by Lemista but Lemista has turned out special.
“I love how she has come on physically. Did I think she'd win an Oaks? - no I didn't but when she won the Oaks trial she earned her right to be here and if you're not in it you can't win it.
“It's just fantastic and it's good that these owners are now with me, with a good trainer for a change!
“They were spoiling Aidan, this thing is easy when you get this type of horse. I was saying how great Aidan is but when you get the horses it's easy!
“It's a great result, I'm delighted for Colin and for the team. I was just joking saying we should keep the country in lockdown because it's working for me anyway.
“I'm thrilled because I love this filly. I thought she was smart. I didn't know what an Oaks filly was but I said if we had one this was her. She's gone and done it so I'm delighted. I'm delighted for the owners.
“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.
“I never had a worried moment which is a strange thing to say.
“There is no pressure from the owners and they are straight-forward 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.”
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Ennistymon, trained by A.P.O'Brien, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
(GC & EM)
