Ireland dominated Sunday’s Prix de Diane filling the first three places, Fancy Blue getting home in s driving finish to give Donnacha O’Brien his first Classic winner.
The 21-year-old only took out his license at the start of the year rode Fancy Blue to victory last year. As a trainer he went went close with Fancy Blue finishing runner-up in the Irish 1000 Guineas three weeks ago.
The pair met again on Sunday, Pierre-Charles Boudot settling Fancy Blue on the early speed set by Royal Ascot winner Alpine Star to the home turn.
Alpine Star found plenty and was still in front 100m out however, Fancy Blue would not be denied and kept coming to score by a short-neck with Peaceful just a head behind in third, the first four home covered by one length.
Speaking from Ireland, O’Brien told the Sporting Life the Irish Oaks may be a possibility for Fancy Blue, the 47th Group 1 winner for Deep Impact.
“There’s so much pressure and a lot of work goes into it, but this feeling is great and thank God she won,” O’Brien said. “I always knew she was a very good filly and we always thought the step up in trip would suit her. It definitely did.
“Pierre is a very good rider and I told him to do what he wants. There was no pace early so he went forward on her and sat upsides the leader. It was exactly what I would have liked him to do. She quickened up well and stuck at it. Fair play to Pierre, he gave her a peach of a ride.
“The home straight felt like a lifetime, I didn’t really know what was going on. Thankfully at the end of it all she got her head in front.
“I was glad we didn’t go to Epsom after what I saw yesterday. I would say Love is a fair machine. Thankfully we made the right call in sending her to France.
“We’ll get her home and see how she is. We might have a look at the Irish Oaks at the Curragh.”
“I’ve really enjoyed the training so far and if I keep getting horses who can run in big races like the French Oaks I will keep on enjoying it! This means a lot. The lads at home are the ones putting in the work and I’m delighted for them more than anything.”