The Group I Irish Oaks (1m4f) at The Curragh on Saturday delivered another classic winner for Montjeu’s Epsom Derby winning son Camelot with victory going to progressive filly Even So, whose dam started her stud career in Australasia.
Trained by Ger Lyons for Mrs John Magnier and Mrs Paul Shanahan, Even So is the sixth winner of the eight Classics run in Britain and Ireland so far this year to carry the various Coolmore silks, after the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks (won by Love), Derby (Serpentine), Irish 1,000 Guineas (Peaceful) and Irish Derby (Santiago).
A last start winner of the Listed Naas Oaks Trial, she surged clear at the finish to win by two lengths over the favourite Cayenne Pepper, who is by Galileo’s Epsom Derby winner Australia.
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I'm thrilled because I love this filly. I thought she was smart. I didn't know what an Oaks filly was but I said if we had one this was her. She's gone and done it so I'm delighted,” said Ger Lyons.
“I'm delighted for the owners. They've picked us for a reason and let us do our job which makes life so much easier. I'd be lying if I said we had a plan, we'll enjoy this. I genuinely didn't think she was good enough to win an Oaks. Now I have to pay her her dues and train her accordingly. She's a very valuable filly now.”
Even So is the best of seven winners from blue-blooded winning Danehill mare Breeze Hill, the last foal of unraced blue hen Rose of Jericho, dam of Epsom Derby winner Dr Devious and Group winners Royal Court and Archway as well as stakes-winner Shinko King.
Breeze Hill started her stud career in Australasia as she was purchased by Paul Moroney Bloodstock for 150,000 guineas from the Tattersalls December Sale in 2003 as a race filly and sent to New Zealand.
She won a race at Te Rapa over 2100m and then retired to stud to be covered by Zabeel with five time winner Va Benissimo the result of that mating.
She then continued her stud career in Australia producing a foal every year until she was offered at the Inglis Broodmare Sale in 2012 where she was bought by BBA Ireland for $100,000 and sent back to Ireland after producing her last foal here, a filly by High Chaparral called So Ard.
Returning to Ireland, Breeze Hill produced two winners by Galileo and then her third foal back in the Northern Hemisphere was Even So.
Daughters of Rose of Jericho have enjoyed phenomenal success at stud spawning a dynasty of Group I winners including Epsom Oaks winner Dancing Rain, Japanese bred Suzuka Phoenix, Australian bred Awesome Rock as well as Irish Group I winner Maybe, the dam of dual Group I winner Saxon Warrior (Jpn), who is back in Australia this spring for Coolmore at a fee of $17,600.
With three wins and two placings from six starts, Even So is the fifth Group I winner for Camelot and has an interesting pedigree featuring a double cross of Danehill 4 x 2 and three close lines of Northern Dancer.
She is the 17th Group I winner worldwide to carry a double cross of Danehill and is the second to be sired by Camelot joining Wonderment.
