FAMILY AFFAIR AS FANTASTIC FOREVER IS OAKS QUEEN
Donnacha & Aidan add Oaks to Guineas
FOREVER TOGETHER stayed strong to lift the Investec Oaks and inscribe another O’Brien on Epsom’s roll of honour.
Aidan O’Brien had been in America to saddle Mendelssohn in the Kentucky Derby when son Donnacha drove Saxon Warrior – the hot favourite for today’s Derby – to victory in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month.
But the Ballydoyle trainer – and proud father – was on hand to see the 19-year-old triumph as 7-1 chance Forever Together, giving the trainer a seventh Oaks, lost her maiden tag in the fillies’ Classic.
After a wet week in Surrey had turned Epsom’s terrain soft, Forever Together’s jockey was keen to bag the favoured stands’ rail once in line for home – and the daughter of Galileo did the rest for a four-and-a-half-length supremacy.
“He’s been watching races from the time his eyes could open, so tactically he’s very aware and very confident to make his own decisions,” beamed devout family man O’Brien, who linked up with Donnacha’s older brother Joseph to capture the Derby with Camelot in 2012 and Australia two years later.
“He’s only 19, but you don’t ever have to say much to him because he knows what’s going on. He works very hard and puts it in 24 hours, seven days a week.
“It’s massive – a privilege – and not something I take for granted.”
Forever Together turned the tables on Magic Wand after finishing second to her stablemate – the choice of Ryan Moore came home in fourth yesterday – in Chester’s Cheshire Oaks last month.
“I thought I should have gone close at Chester. I got in plenty of trouble on her, so I knew I had a chance, but if he’d gone for my filly I’d have been very happy to ride his!” admitted the winning jockey.
“I didn’t expect to be here at the start of the season, but, when you’re riding for dad, you always have a chance, and it’s paid off twice this year already.” Cracksman
had earlier frightened the living daylights out of those who plunged on him at 2-7 for the Group 1 Investec Coronation Cup.
Having looked beaten for all bar the last 100 yards, Frankie Dettori’s mount got up in the dying strides to deny pacemaking 33-1 shot Salouen by a head.
“He’s not in love with the track,” said Dettori of last year’s Derby third.
“He had to pull out all his guns to