Joseph O’Brien always looked as though he could win the Group I Irish Oaks (1m4f) at the Curragh overnight given he was sending out the race favourite and Epsom Oaks winner Thundering On, but when that filly was scratched on race morning it was up to her stablemate to rise to the challenge.
Sea the Stars filly Johanna Walsh is a filly on the up, breaking her maiden at Leopardstown at her third start in May before running second in the Group II Ribblesdale Stakes to Earth Shot, who started favourite in the Irish Oaks in the absence of Thundering On.
Ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle, Johanna Walsh produced a career best performance to race clear and win by four lengths over Inis Mor, who was placed behind Diamond Necklace in the French Oaks.
“That was a huge performance. Dylan gave Johanna Walsh a fantastic ride and he had a very willing partner. From the three to the two she really came alive,” said Joseph O’Brien.
“She's a hugely exciting filly for the future. It's fantastic for the team at home, to have two impressive Oaks winners is hugely exciting.”
Dylan Browne McMonagle has been on Johanna Walsh in her past three starts and was not surprised at the ease of her win.
“It was very straightforward from the get go. I was always in control of the race.Jpohanna Walsh is a filly with a lot of gears and when I pushed the button she put the race to be within a couple of strides and she powered away,” he said.
“She wasn't a bad substitute for Thundering On). She was unbelievable today, it was push-button stuff. Thundering On is obviously a little bit special, it's hard to know what she would have done the way this one performed, but thankfully it worked out.”
Bred by Sunderland Holdings, Johanna Walsh was offered at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale by Norelands where she made €460,000 to the bid of Cary Bloodstock for Wells Watson.
She is a half-sister to stakes-placed Kildare Legend and is the first stakes-winner among four winners from Miss Aiglonne, a placed half-sister by Dawn Approach to Group I winner Mekhtaal and Group winners Democrate, Normandy Bridge and Aigue Marine.
She is the 26th Group I winner for Sea the Stars and is his third this year joining Daryz and Maltese Cross.
