Ger Lyons and Colin Keane take Irish Oaks as Even So adds to Classic spoils

Ger Lyons was less emotional this time and the tears he shed when Siskin swooped to land the Irish 2,000 Guineas were missing but, even so, this was a very big deal for him and Colin Keane. They have now taken half of the first four Irish Classics and, to add to the celebrations, this latest one was in the Coolmore colours.

Even So did not scream she was an Oaks winner when she won a trial at Naas early this month. She scrambled home by a neck from Laburnum and Lyons even admitted he was not expecting her to win here. That made the occasion all the more enjoyable, compared to the tizzy he got himself into during Siskin's finest hour.

Lyons said: "It was lovely to watch, very different to Siskin. I couldn't watch Siskin at all, but I watched this one and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

"She a filly I always loved and physically she has transformed from race to race. I loved the way she did it at Naas, but I have to admit I didn't think it was good enough to win a Classic.

"That said, I knew all season that if we had an Oaks filly it was her. I was quietly confident she would be involved in the finish, but winning is a bonus."

Watch Even So winning the Irish Oaks

There was no fluke about it. Even So caught the eye throughout the race, with Keane sitting motionless in that recognisable pose of his, and once the pair arrived on the outside of Cayenne Pepper there was only going to be one winner. The best filly won, make no mistake about that.

The early part of the contest followed a familiar theme, with the Ballydoyle-based fillies making the running. There was no Love or Peaceful in here this time, though, and Ennistymon could not land a blow.

It was left to 2-1 favourite Cayenne Pepper, who hit a low of 1.44 in running, and Even So to fight out from the furlong pole and there was two lengths between them at the line. Passion took third, half a length further back.

"Her work early in the spring was very good and she was able to show her ability over this trip," said Keane.

The winning jockey added: "I thought if we finished in the first three it would be a great run, but to win was a bonus. My filly travelled everywhere. I couldn't believe how well we were going a furlong out. We're having a great season and all the horses are running well. To have won two Classics is something you dream of."

So, Ger, is there any pressure training for Coolmore?

"None whatsoever," replied Lyons. "There's no pressure. That's their colours and that's the nearest they come to me. They're unbelievably straightforward to train horses for. They let us do our job and they picked us for a reason.

"We want to be having runners in these races. It's been a long time coming and we're going to enjoy it."

There is no plan in place for Even So yet, as Lyons admitted he was taken by surprise by the style of her victory.

"I'd be lying if I said I know where she's going next as I didn't think she was good enough to win an Oaks. We'll have to pay her some dues now and sit down and decide where to go," Lyons added.

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