Saoire may be entered in Vodafone Oaks

Saoire could be Epsom-bound for a crack at the Vodafone Oaks next month after her surprise success in the Boylesports Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh on Sunday.

Frances Crowley became the first woman to train the winner of an Irish Classic as her 10-1 chance showed tremendous guts to hold the challenge of British hope Penkenna Princess (25-1) by the minimum possible margin with Luas Line (20-1) half a length further away in third.

Crowley, married to top Irish jockey Pat Smullen – who had earlier taken the other Group One event on the card, the Tattersalls Gold Cup, aboard Grey Swallow - is better-known to most as a trainer of jumpers with the likes of Sackville, Moscow Express and Nil Desperandum having flown her flag at the highest level.

Vcbet cut Saoire to 16-1 from 33-1 for the Vodafone Oaks while Ladbrokes and William Hill both went 10s from 25s.

And Crowley said: “I’ve always thought of her more of an Oaks filly than a miler. She ran a good race at Newmarket when she didn’t get the best of runs and she really appreciated the ground today.

“We will have to consider going to Epsom, although I am not completely sure that she would be suited by the track and there is always the Irish Oaks back here in July.

“It’s my first ever Group-race winner, recently I have been trying to increase the number of Flat horses we have got at the yard and this is brilliant.

“It’s a victory for the whole team, not just for me. This is my first Group race, let alone a Classic and it is just a brilliant feeling.”

Saoire was never far off the lead as she raced in the front rank early on in company with Sanserif and Mona Lisa.

There were many in with chances in the last quarter-mile, not least Damson who looked sure to be involved when throwing down her challenge under Jamie Spencer at the furlong-pole.

Saoire and Penkenna Princess had finished sixth and 16th respectively in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket behind Virginia Waters but both clearly appreciated these more testing conditions, being daughters of mud-loving sire Pivotal.

Virginia Waters herself was sent off the 11-10 favourite to complete the Classic double and emulate last year’s winner Attraction but was never able to land a blow and finished eighth, completing an afternoon of mixed fortunes for trainer Aidan O’Brien.

Smullen made it a good result for the winning trainer as he rode Utterly Heaven into fourth place for his boss Dermot Weld.