Love's late run gives O'Brien eighth Epsom Oaks victory
Aidan O’Brien’s got another star on his hands. The legendary trainer saddled his eighth winner of the Group 1 Epsom Oaks on Saturday when Love thundered to a convincing win.
Love entered the race already with a pair of top-level wins to her name. The 3-year-old Galileo filly took Curragh’s Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) last September at 2 and entered Saturday’s race off a One Thousand Guineas (G1) triumph June 7 at Newmarket.
Under jockey Ryan Moore, Love broke from Post No. 5 in the Epsom Oaks as the 4-5 favorite in U.S. betting markets. Passion and Tiempo Vuela moved out quickly and built a wide lead on the field through the first half of the 1½-mile event.
Coming from near the back of the eight-filly field, Love made her move in the final three furlongs. She easily swallowed up the two pace setters and drew off impressively for an eight-length victory.
Love’s stablemate Ennistymon ran second, just ahead of the John Gosden-trained Frankly Darling in third.
2020 Epsom Oaks (G1)
| Fin | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start / Next Start | HRN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Love Galileo | A. O'Brien R. Moore |
| 6-5 | |||
| 2nd | Ennistymon Galileo | A. O'Brien S. Heffernan |
| 6-1 | |||
| 3rd | Frankly Darling Frankel | J. Gosden F. Dettori |
| 9-5 | |||
| 4th | Queen Daenerys Frankel | R. Varian W. Buick |
| 25-1 | |||
| 5th | Passion Galileo | A. O'Brien P. Beggy |
| 20-1 | |||
| 6th | Bharani Star Sea The Stars | P. Chapple-Hyam O. Murphy |
| 40-1 | |||
| 7th | Gold Wand Golden Horn | R. Varian A. Atzeni |
| 15-1 | |||
| 8th | Tiempo Vuela Lope De Vega | J. Gosden M. Harley |
| 40-1 |