Chicquita & Johnny Murtagh on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Johnny Murtagh recorded his sixth success in the Darley Irish Oaks, as he partnered the French raider Chicquita to victory for trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre.
The daughter of Montjeu had to survive a lengthy Stewards Enquiry before being declared the winner, as she drifted violently left in the closing stages.
A maiden before today, the daughter of Montjeu is a quirky sort and she fell on her second start at Saint-Cloud in May, when drifting right and colliding with the hedge.
She showed her class on her last outing at Chantilly, finishing four lengths second to Treve in the Group 1 Prix de Diane (the French Oaks), and she was well fancied today, going off at 9/2.
Prominent throughout, she came with her challenge from two furlongs out, and despite drifting badly left inside the final furlong, she managed to get to the front close home, scoring by half a length. Venus De Milo had to be switched inside due to the drifting winner, but Seamie Heffernan never stopped riding and she kept on well to finish second at 6/1.
The front-running Just Pretending (8/1) was a neck back in third under Joseph O’Brien, the second and third both trained by Aidan O’Brien.
Ribblesdale winner Riposte went off the 9/4 favourite, but she could only manage a disappointing fifth under Tom Queally for Jane Cecil.
Epsom Oaks winner Talent (11/4) was also disappointing and she finished last of the seven under Jim Crowley for Ralph Beckett.
Royer-Dupre, who was successful with Shawanda in this race in 2005, said afterwards: "Shawanda was unbeaten coming here but this one had never won!
"She is a great filly and I want to try another Group 1 with her.
"It is very interesting as she is very quiet in training and she never does anything wrong, but sometimes she wants to come back too early.
"She will go for the Prix Vermeille and then maybe the Arc and I think she is good on any ground.
"Johnny did well as she is not an easy ride. He got her relaxed and I told him when he asked her to go, to do it gently and not to surprise her.
"She is owned by Paul Makin who is from Australia "
Johnny Murtagh was of course recording a double on the day after taking the second aboard Pearl Of Africa and he said afterwards: "She is a very smart filly but she is quirky and when I let her go she drifted left.
"She was much the best filly on the day.
"She is class and I told Alain that there was a bit left in the tank."
Ladbrokes make the winner at 16/1 chance for the Arc while they have shortened French Oaks winner Treve from 8/1 from 10s.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
