Savethelastdance claimed victory from the jaws of defeat in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh.
A 22-length winner of the Cheshire Oaks in May, Aidan O'Brien’s filly subsequently filled the runner-up spot behind Soul Sister in the Oaks at Epsom and was a warm order to go one better on home soil.
But supporters of the 10-11 favourite would have been seriously worried early in the home straight, with Moore already hard at work while British raider Bluestocking breezed into contention.
The latter looked sure to secure top honours after eventually mastering the pacesetting 80-1 outsider Library, but Savethelastdance kept responding to Moore’s urgings and flashed home to prevail by half a length and provide her trainer with an seventh victory in the Irish Classic.
Savethelastdance's (10-11F) abundant stamina wins the day in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh. She'd half a length to spare at the line, but hit the ceiling price of 1000 (999-1) on Betfair after becoming outpaced and looking as if her chance had gone. pic.twitter.com/n1wMZbkJx0
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) July 22, 2023
"It’s a long time since she ran, she had a break after Epsom and obviously we knew this was her first run back for an autumn campaign," O’Brien told RTÉ Sport.
"She’s a big relaxed mare. Obviously the ground was way different than what she ran on the last time.
"Chris Hayes’ filly (Azazat) just came around her when she was just starting to get going and she might have gotten a little bit intimidated by it.
"The lads were delighted with her at home, she was thriving and doing great. Ryan gave her a brilliant ride, he remotivated her. When she was in a little bit of trouble he kept her coming forward without panicking and got her out, then he asked her to come again.
"It’s a very difficult thing to motivate a horse on that type of ground but she did answer for him. He was brilliant on her."
Aidan O'Brien praises the efforts of Ryan Moore in the saddle and his "masculine' filly Savethelastdance after her victory in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh. pic.twitter.com/iBUby54X2J
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) July 22, 2023
Considering future plans, the trainer added: "Obviously we know she stays very well. I’d say she’s going to sharpen up a good bit from today.
"You can bounce her out as forward as you want and I’d say she will find plenty and save plenty.
"She’s a massive big masculine filly, she’s unusual as she’s a filly but she has a pair of horns on her head which is very unusual for a filly. She has a big, strong backside on her.
"It’s very possible (she will stay in training next year), the lads have been doing that if everything is well over the last few years. If they decided that we’d be delighted.
"We’re treating this as her first run of an autumn campaign."
Sunday's meeting at the Curragh must survive a 7.30am precautionary inspection due to the threat of heavy rain.
