Thundering On Impresses in Epsom Oaks Victory

Joseph O'Brien has even fewer worlds left to conquer after Thundering On (GB) provided the trainer with his breakthrough Epsom classic when running away with the Epsom Oaks (G1) June 5 at Epsom Downs Racecourse. There was never a moment of worry as the daughter of Frankel (GB) put any stamina doubts to bed in a matter of strides, moving effortlessly on the shoulder of Juddmonte's Legacy Link (GB) before charging clear under an ice-cool ride by Irish champion Dylan Browne McMonagle. Many of those gathered around the winner's enclosure to welcome the worthy winner were searching for superlatives to describe the young jockey and O'Brien who, having landed many of the world's biggest prizes as a rider, has wasted little time in ticking them off as a trainer. "This is really special," the 33-year-old said. "It's hard to find horses with the ability to head to a classic with a legitimate chance. She was very impressive and it was an easy watch from the turn-in. She's done nothing wrong throughout her whole career. You never expect to win a classic like that and she looks like she could potentially be a special filly." Thundering On—the only foal of owner Shapoor Mistry's group 1 winner Thundering Nights—was an impressive winner of the Salsabil Stakes (G3) over a mile and a quarter last time, and had the option of the Prix de Diane (G1), but her connections were keen to test her over this longer trip. "She's always shown a lot of speed in the mornings," O'Brien said. "Her dam just got 10 furlongs so we weren't sure about the distance. The plan was to sit back, save energy and come home quickly, which she did. We probably ended up further back than we planned." There was no shortage of back-slapping before the trophy presentation, with the majority of them reserved for Browne McMonagle. The 23-year-old timed his challenge to perfection to add a first British classic to his maiden jockeys' championship and Breeders' Cup success, while he also has a good chance of adding another classic June 6 aboard the O'Brien-trained James J Braddock (GB) in the Epsom Derby (G1). "Things are going great, so long may that continue," said the jockey, who spent a productive winter in Hong Kong. "These are the kinds of races you need to be riding in and I'm lucky to have opportunities at this level. "It was about getting her to relax early on. She was comfortable the whole way, was well balanced in the straight and she quickened away really well at the end. She was an unbelievable winner. "The sky is the limit. The way she did that today, she could go anywhere." Musidora Stakes (G3) winner Legacy Link came home 6 lengths clear of the third Sugar Island (IRE), who finished best of the Aidan O'Brien-trained trio. Cameo (IRE) claimed fifth, while the 7-4 favorite Amelia Earhart (IRE), whose trainer said she would have preferred a stronger gallop, could only manage sixth under Ryan Moore.