Aidan O'Brien's Irish Oaks runner-up Venus De Milo booked her Prix Vermeille ticket with an easy win in Cork's most valuable Flat race, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Give Thanks Stakes, today.

Ridden by the trainer's son and Champion Jockey Joseph O'Brien (carrying one pound over-weight at 8st13lbs) the daughter of Duke Of Marmalade made all and stayed on strongly in the straight for a three and a half lengths win over Bunairgead

Afterwards O'Brien Senior stated “it was lovely to come here for this and the track is in super order. It's an important race for her to win and while it wasn't ideal being in front, you never know what can happen in these type of races if things get messy.

“She's a lovely, big mare and will have a rest now before coming back for the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp in September.”

By Thomas Weekes