Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Press Association

Love burns bright to complete Guineas-Oaks double in scintillating style

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Love followed up her 1000 Guineas success with a nine-length win under Ryan Moore in the Investec Oaks, scorching to a record time in the Epsom Classic. 

The 11-10 favourite was chased home by stablemate Ennistymon (6-1), with Frankly Darling (7-4) three-quarters of a length further back in third. 

Passion and outsider Tiempo Vuela set a strong early tempo, with the pair well clear rounding Tattenham Corner. 

However, as the field reached the three-furlong pole those exertions started to tell as Ennistymon loomed large.

The patiently-ridden Love was then unleashed by Moore with two furlongs to run and the response was immediate. 

Frankly Darling, who had been fractious on the way to post, launched her own challenge under Frankie Dettori, but Love dashed further clear to hit the line in splendid isolation. 

On training eight Oaks winners, O'Brien added: "We're in a very privileged position to train such horses.

"This filly is very special - it's very hard that you could ever have a better filly. You saw what she did in the Guineas - winning by three or four lengths - and she doubled it today.

"It's only her second run of the year and it's amazing really."

On future plans, he said: "Obviously we'll wait and see and the lads will decide in the next few days.

"The Irish Oaks (July 18) was a possibility, so we'll see how she is over the next few days.

"I think you'd have to think about the Arc in the autumn - we know what three-year-old fillies can do in the Arc. I suppose it all depends how she comes out of today and whether she has a midsummer break now or takes another run and has a break after that.

"I think everything is possible with her and it's just a question of what the right thing is to do. The St Leger comes three weeks or a month before the Arc and if she was going to the Arc, would be it be too tough for a filly to run in the Leger beforehand? I don't know.

"We'll see how she trains and see what the lads really want to do."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.