Shawanda enters Arc picture after Oaks romp

THE decision by the Aga Khan to suppplement Shawanda at a cost of €40,000 paid handsome dividends when the Alain de Royer-Dupre trained filly totally outclassed her rivals to win the Darley Irish Oaks by a whopping five lengths at the Curragh yesterday.

This was mighty impressive, because Christophe Soumillon only had to let out an inch of rein and the race was over as a contest to give the French their first success in this race in twelve years.

“Yes, I expected this, she is a filly with a lot of class”, commented de Royer-Dupre, saddling his first winner in Ireland, matter of factly.