Ireland: Johanna Walsh continues ascension in Irish Oaks
Johanna Walsh, a maiden race winner in May, continued her rapid ascent in Europe’s 3-year-old filly division with a four-length win in Saturday’s $571,000 Irish Oaks at the Curragh after stablemate Thundering On was scratched earlier in the day.
Thundering On, winner of the Group 1 English Oaks on June 5, was reported to be off her feed, resulting in her withdrawal. Thundering On was expected to be favored in the Irish Oaks.
Joseph O’Brien trains Johanna Walsh and Thundering On and told the press that Thundering On would not race again until the fall.
Johanna Walsh, whose career has developed rapidly in recent months, won the Irish Oaks for her second win in five starts, paying $9.90 in American pools. She finished clear of 6-1 Inis Mor, who was three-quarters of a length in front of 8-1 Sparan Nua.
Earth Shot, the 2-1 favorite, finished sixth of 10, beaten 11 1/2 lengths.
Inis Mor and Sparan Nua were supplemented to the Irish Oaks for approximately $57,000.
Johanna Walsh, ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle, stalked pacesetters Composing and Sugar Island before taking the lead with a quarter-mile remaining. She quickly drew clear.
“It was a huge performance and I thought Dylan gave her a fantastic ride,” O’Brien told the press. “He kept control of the race and had a very willing partner.”
O’Brien said that with more than a quarter-mile remaining, Johanna Walsh “really came alive.”
She “is a hugely exciting filly for the future.”
Johanna Walsh, by Sea the Stars, is owned by Wells Watson.
Johanna Walsh won her third start in a maiden race at 1 1/4 miles at Leopardstown in May and was second by a head in her first start in a stakes in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/2 miles at Royal Ascot in Britain on June 18.
Johanna Walsh led with three furlongs remaining in the Ribblesdale, and was beaten a head by Earth Shot.
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