'You never expect to win a Classic like that' - Thundering On wows Epsom with 'unbelievable' Oaks performance

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Joseph O'Brien has even fewer worlds left to conquer after Thundering On provided the trainer with his breakthrough Epsom Classic when running away with the Betfred Oaks.

There was never a moment of worry as the daughter of Frankel put any stamina doubts to bed in a matter of strides, moving effortlessly on the shoulder of Juddmonte's Legacy Link before charging clear under an ice-cool ride by Irish champion Dylan Browne McMonagle.

Many of those gathered around the winner's enclosure to welcome the worthy winner were searching for superlatives to describe the young jockey and O'Brien who, having landed many of the world's biggest prizes as a rider, has wasted little time in ticking them off as a trainer.

"This is really special," said the 33-year-old. "It's hard to find horses with the ability to head to a Classic with a legitimate chance. She was very impressive and it was an easy watch from the turn-in. She's done nothing wrong throughout her whole career. You never expect to win a Classic like that and she looks like she could potentially be a special filly."

Thundering On – the only foal of owner Shapoor Mistry's Group 1 winner Thundering Nights – was an impressive winner of the Salsabil Stakes over a mile and a quarter last time, and had the option of the Prix de Diane, but her connections were keen to test her over this longer trip.

"She's always shown a lot of speed in the mornings," said O'Brien. "Her dam just got ten furlongs so we weren't sure about the distance. The plan was to sit back, save energy and come home quickly, which she did. We probably ended up further back than we planned."

• Lee Mottershead's Oaks day review 

There was no shortage of back-slapping before the trophy presentation, with the majority of them reserved for Browne McMonagle. The 23-year-old timed his challenge to perfection to add a first British Classic to his maiden jockeys' championship and Breeders' Cup success, while he also has a good chance of adding another Classic on Saturday aboard the O'Brien-trained James J Braddock in the Betfred Derby.

"Things are going great, so long may that continue," said the jockey, who spent a productive winter in Hong Kong. "These are the kinds of races you need to be riding in and I'm lucky to have opportunities at this level. 

"It was about getting her to relax early on. She was comfortable the whole way, was well balanced in the straight and she quickened away really well at the end. She was an unbelievable winner.

Dylan Browne McMonagle celebrates victory with Thundering OnCredit: Getty Images

"She's got a lot of speed and is a strong traveller, so it didn't completely surprise me to be honest. She's been doing everything so well at home. She's got a lot of class and clearly gets the trip well. 

"The sky is the limit. The way she did that today, she could go anywhere."

Paddy Power shortened Thundering On to 12-1 (from 66) for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but her potential route to Paris remained unclear in the moments after the Oaks.

"Her dam won the Pretty Polly so she can go back to that or the Irish Oaks," said O'Brien. "The world is our oyster, but we'll enjoy today and then we can make a plan for the season."

Musidora winner Legacy Link came home six lengths clear of the third Sugar Island, who finished best of the Aidan O'Brien-trained trio. Cameo claimed fifth, while the 7-4 favourite Amelia Earhart, whose trainer said she would have preferred a stronger gallop, could only manage sixth under Ryan Moore.

"The winner came here with a big reputation after her good win the other day and she's a Frankel filly," said John Gosden, joint-trainer of Legacy Link. 

"They were well clear of the rest and she's run an absolute blinder. We're delighted with her, but she ran into one who was too good for her on this ground on the day. I think both fillies handled it, though, and handled it well. There were a lot of disappointments in the race and it was a strung-out field.”

Read more here:

Oaks analysis: why Thundering On may be the 2026 Arc winner 

2026 Derby pinstickers' guide: runners, tips, key quotes and Keith Melrose's ratings for every contender 

A 1,100,000gns purchase and a three-parts brother to last year's winner - Classic clues for the Derby 

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