Thundering On storms home to win Epsom Oaks / Photo: © AFP
Thundering On storms home to win Epsom Oaks
Thundering On won the Epsom Oaks on Friday in impressive fashion to give two-time Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Joseph O'Brien his second classic success in England.
Dylan Browne McMonagle gave the winner a superb ride and once he asked the Irish runner to accelerate, she breezed past Legacy Link to win at odds of 5/1.
Legacy Link was second at 3/1 whilst Joseph's father Aidan trained the third, Sugar Island (25/1).
However, O'Brien senior's race favourite Amelia Earhart proved a huge disappointment, fading badly in the finishing straight to end up sixth out of the nine runners.
"She is a very special filly," said Joseph O'Brien.
"I am so pleased for the owner, he has been very loyal.
"Dylan gave her a fantastic ride," added the 33-year-old.
For Thundering On's Indian owner Shapoor Mistry it was "a dream come true" after years of investing in bloodstock, first in India and then in Europe.
"We bought her grand dam (grandmother) and bred her dam (mother) so the family have been with us some time," he said.
"We do not have many horses in training in Europe, around five, but life has been kind to us.
"Essentially I have been in racing since I was 18 years old, which is a long time.
"As a family, for 40-45 years (we've) been involved in racing in India but my son wanted horses here so we sent a horse to Joseph and now have some in England
"We are really enjoying it."
McMonagle was a talented boxer in his youth, he won an All-Ireland boys boxing title, and he certainly knew how to land the knockout blow when it was required on the winner.
"We were very confident coming into the race," said the 23-year-old.
"I never had a moment of worry during the race.
"I knew nothing was coming from behind me and I had plenty in the tank to pass the leader.
"It is a great training performance."
McMonagle, who was crowned Irish champion jockey in 2025, and O'Brien can complete a classic double on Saturday.
He rides James J Braddock, named after a former heavyweight boxing world champion -- an apposite ride for the ex-Irish boys champion.
McMonagle said he still had to pinch himself to believe his success.
"I am just very lucky to get my leg across," he said.
"It's unbelievable. All of us dream of coming to these places and having these rides.
"It is what you do this for.
"We have two live classic chances this weekend and the first of those boxes has been ticked."
T.al-Wazzan--BT
