Even So continued the golden run for trainer Ger Lyons this season with victory in Saturday’s Irish Oaks (12f) at The Curragh.
Even So (pic: Curragh Racecourse) came with her challenge inside the final two furlongs to finish best and defeat the favourite Cayenne Pepper (Australia) by two lengths with Passion (Galileo) a half-length away third.
Last start winner of the Listed Oaks Trial at Naas, the Coolmore-owned Even So has now won three of her six starts and placed in a further two.
Lyons and jockey Colin Keane won last month’s Irish 2000 Gns with Siskin, Lyons was winning his second Classic. The trainer told Racing UK it was a pleasure training for the Coolmore group.
“There’s no pressure from the owners. I don’t get phone calls. That’s their colours and that’s the nearest I come to them,” Lyons said.
“They’re completely straightforward to work for. They’ve picked us for a reason and let us do our job which makes life so much easier, just like Juddmonte.
“It’s a pleasure when you get pedigrees like this one,” he said.
“I love the Camelot fillies and I liked her from the very get-go. Did I think she was an Oaks filly, no, I didn’t but when she won the trial (at Naas) she earned the right to run.
“This was much more enjoyable to watch than Siskin’s win in the Guineas. It’s strange with no people here but I’ll take it. I didn’t take my eyes off her up the straight but I was never in doubt at any stage.”