Qualify has sprung a 50-1 shock in the Oaks, running down the 5-2 favourite, Legatissimo, in the dying strides. The result stands after a stewards’ inquiry into “multiple incidents in the final furlong”.
Legatissimo, who had won the 1,000 Guineas in May and was the mount of Ryan Moore, cruised through the race and seemed to have victory in the bag when she went ahead in the last quarter-mile. The final challenge came from an almost inconceivable quarter, the cheers dying in the throats of spectators as Qualify remorselessly wore down the leader’s advantage and poked her head in front in the final two strides.
Qualify had trailed Legatissimo by 41 lengths when last of 13 in the Guineas and she barely fared better in the Irish version a fortnight ago, finishing 10th of 18. The moment when she went past Legatissimo was hailed by Ladbrokes’ David Williams as “the biggest betting swing in Oaks history”. The racecourse commentator, Richard Hoiles, tweeted shortly after the race: “Eyes telling me one thing, head telling me ‘you’re bonkers’!”
The winner is trained by Aidan O’Brien, whose last-gasp success here comes at the expense of his employers, Coolmore, owners of the David Wachman-trained runner-up. It is O’Brien’s fifth success in the Oaks.
Qualify was ridden by Colm O’Donoghue, a stalwart of O’Brien’s stable and a man who is not often used on the first-string runner but who has nevertheless racked up an impressive list of major-race wins, including the 2011 Irish Derby. This is his first English Classic success, though he came within a head of Derby glory aboard Treasure Beach in 2011.
Lady Of Dubai stayed on to be third ahead of Diamondsandrubies, who was one of several horses to suffer interference in the straight. Jack Naylor finished in midfield after racing prominently, while Star Of Seville, another to suffer interference, dropped right out after setting what looked a steady pace. Crystal Zvezda, sent off the second-favourite at 7-2, refused to settle and beat only Bellajeu.
