Johanna Walsh stepped into the spotlight as a capable substitute for her stablemate Thundering On, cruising home to claim a straightforward win in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks. The story of the race began a month earlier when Thundering On dominated the Oaks at Epsom, only to be beaten by the seasoned mare Estrange in the Pretty Polly Stakes.
Despite being the favorite to pull off a classic double on home turf, Thundering On was withdrawn on the morning of the Irish Oaks, leaving a gap in Joseph O'Brien's plans. Undeterred, O'Brien launched a two‑horse attack to chase his own Oaks double, pairing the experienced Johanna Walsh—who had finished second to Earth Shot in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot—with the unbeaten filly Rebel Moon.
Backed at 7‑2, Walsh, ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle, settled behind the Ballydoyle pacemakers before moving into contention as the field turned into the home straight. From two furlongs out she accelerated, pulling away from the rest of the field and eventually crossing the line four lengths clear of the opposition. David Menuisier’s French Oaks‑placed Inis Mor proved the best of the chasers, taking second place, while Sparan Nua held third and Rebel Moon finished fourth. After the race O'Brien praised the performance, saying, "It was a huge performance from the filly and I thought Dylan gave her a fantastic ride because he controlled the whole race and had a very willing partner.
He felt like he'd be able to do that from a mid‑pack position and he really did." He added that the filly responded beautifully between the three‑ and two‑furlong markers, relished the fast ground, and was in prime condition. O'Brien reflected on the significance of the win, noting, "It's really special to win a Classic here in Ireland.
This is what we are in the game for and this is why we do what we do. We'll enjoy today.
She's had a busy first part of the season. We'll probably give her a little freshen up now and focus on an autumn campaign." Regarding Thundering On, he confirmed the mare would return in the autumn, describing her as an "exciting filly" whose absence was regrettable but promising future opportunities. McMonagle was equally enthusiastic, calling the ride "unreal" and highlighting Walsh's versatility: "She's a filly with a lot of gears and when I pushed the button she put the race to bed in a couple of strides, so it wasn't a bad substitute!" He compared Walsh to Rebel Moon, acknowledging the latter's potential for improvement later in the year, while emphasizing that Walsh was "cherry‑ripe for the day" and delivered a "push‑button" performance. He also praised the quality of the field, noting three strong fillies each had a realistic chance, and expressed admiration for Thundering On, saying, "It's hard to know what she would have done the way this one performed, but thankfully the way it worked out it was all in my favour." The Irish Oaks card also featured other notable stories.
Celeron, a juvenile who had impressed at the Curragh earlier in June, rebounded from a disappointing Royal Ascot run with a dominant win in the GAIN Railway Stakes. Guided by Oisin Murphy, the 7‑2 shot surged to the lead in the final furlong and won by three lengths over Tribeca, while Aidan O'Brien’s favourite Confucius finished third. Trainer Michael O'Callaghan praised Murphy’s ride, noting the jockey’s ability to extract the best from a horse that may need a step up in distance to fully showcase his talent.
Another highlight was Cover Up, who capped a British one‑two‑three‑four finish in the Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh. The six‑year‑old, a former Dubai sprint champion owned by Simon and Ed Crisford, dropped down to Group Two level in Ireland and, despite looking flat‑out at the halfway point, rallied under James Doyle to win by three‑quarters of a length. Dave Loughnane’s Partisan Hero placed second, Robert Cowell’s Jakajaro third, and George Boughey’s Rosy Affair fourth. Crisford lauded Cover Up as a "really wonderful horse to have in the stable," a high‑quality sprinter who handled the firm ground admirably despite concerns that the horse preferred a bit of give under the foot.
He confirmed plans to target Group One races, mentioning a likely appearance at York next month and potential entries in the Nunthorpe and the Flying Five later in the season. Overall, the day at the Curragh showcased the depth of talent in Irish racing, from seasoned classics contenders to emerging juveniles making their mark.
The victories of Johanna Walsh, Celeron, and Cover Up underline the importance of adaptability, strategic placement, and the skill of trainers and jockeys in navigating the ever‑changing landscape of flat racing. Fans can look forward to an exciting autumn campaign as connections plot their next moves, with the promise of further classic challenges and international outings on the horizon.