Savethelastdance leaves it late in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks

Savethelastdance left hearts in mouths en route to delivering Aidan O'Brien a record seventh Gr.1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Saturday.

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 23rd July 2023, by Tom Frary:

Failing to match her 22-length Listed Cheshire Oaks success when second in the Gr.1 Oaks in June, the 10-11 favourite enjoyed the perfect trip until the straight and looked flat-footed and beaten as Bluestocking swooped on the Ballydoyle pace-setter Library approaching the furlong pole.

Rescuing a seemingly hopeless cause with Ryan Moore conjuring the surge that had taken her into clear daylight at Chester, she reeled in that pair inside the last 50 metres for an ultimately cosy half-length success. Bluestocking forged one and three-quarter lengths clear of the 80-1 outsider Library, who showed again what an advantage it is to be on the front end at this track.

"It's been a long time since she ran and we were treating this as her first run back for an autumn campaign," O'Brien said. "Ryan gave her a brilliant ride. When she was in a little bit of trouble, he kept her coming forward without panicking and got her out then re-motivated her."

He added: "She's a big relaxed mare and obviously the ground was way different than what she ran on the last time. It's a very difficult thing to motivate a horse on that type of ground, but she did answer for him."

He continued: "Obviously we know she stays very well and I'd say she's going to sharpen up a good bit from today. You can bounce her out as forward as you want and I'd say she will find plenty and save plenty. She's a massive big masculine filly. She has a big, strong backside on her and a typical Galileo - when all the others are down on their knees that's when they kick in. She could go on to York for the fillies' race [the Gr.1 Yorkshire Oaks], she could go to the Leger and the Arc on soft or heavy ground - all those races are open to her. It's very possible she will stay in training next year."