Irish Oaks: Five memorable editions of the fillies Classic at the Curragh

THE 124th running of the Irish Oaks is shaping up to be an absolute cracker this weekend.

There have been plenty of memorable editions in recent years – here are five of the best.

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2007 – Peeping Fawn

All eyes were on the Curragh in 2007 ahead of the eagerly anticipated rematch between Oaks first and second Light Shift and Peeping Fawn.

Light Shift, the horse who gave Henry Cecil an emotional return to the big time, was sent off the 9-4 favourite to confirm her superiority over Aidan O’Brien’s filly, who was a 3-1 shot.

The jolly was travelling kindly enough as the field turned for home, but Johnny Murtagh had a double handful as Peeping Fawn stalked her old rival.

Approaching the furlong pole, Murtagh let the hand brake off and the daughter of Danehill shot clear to record a hugely impressive success.

2009 – Sariska

I’m sure you’ll all agree, this is one of the most memorable race finishes of all time.

Sariska, Michael Bell’s gutsy Oaks winner at Epsom, lined up at the Curragh as the well-punted even-money favourite under Jamie Spencer.

And this truly was Spencer at his cheekiest. The daughter of Pivotal absolutely tanked through this Group 1 contest, travelling all over her rivals throughout.

She breezed alongside the long-time leader Roses For The Lady just inside the final furlong and Spencer, who had yet to move a muscle, gave Fran Berry an audacious wave as his filly bounded clear to win by three lengths hard-held. Pure class.

2010 – Snow Fairy

What a wonderful mare Ed Dunlop’s Snow Fairy was.

The globe-trotting superstar won six times at the highest level around the world, but her Irish Oaks demolition job was among her most impressive successes.

She had battled to a narrow victory at Epsom several weeks earlier, but she turned on the style here as the 7-2 second favourite under Ryan Moore.

She closed effortlessly from off the pace to lead a furlong and a half out, and it was at that point that the after burners came on. Sensational.

2011 – Blue Bunting

You can’t keep Frankie Dettori down for long and the legendary Italian gave Blue Bunting a peach in 2011.

She endured an awful trip under Dettori when fourth as the 9-4 favourite in the Oaks at Epsom.

But that setback made him even more determined to right those wrongs, and he produced the classy daughter of Dynaformer with a strong run down the outside approaching the final furlong.

She swooped under a power-packed ride in the dying strides to collar Banimpire and Wonder Of Wonders in a pulsating finish, with the first four home separated by just three quarters of a length.

2018 – Sea Of Class

When told to be patient off the pace aboard Sea Of Class 12 month ago, it’s fair to say jockey James Doyle took those instructions very literally.

Trainer William Haggas no doubt had a few heart palpitations as his brilliant three-year-old filly cruised away in rear two furlongs from home.

The final 200 yards were coming into view and still Doyle waited to push the button, but when he finally let her down the result was instant.

She flew down the outside to get up in the last strides – one of the most ballsy Classic rides of all time.