Great Heavens wins Irish Oaks

Great Heavens showed a tremendous turn of foot to win the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh.

The winner looked beaten two furlongs out as Shirocco Star and Was became involved in a barging match at the head of affairs.

Although Shirocco Star eventually saw off the Epsom Oaks heroine Was, jockey William Buick was just getting into overdrive on the eventual winner.

Once in the clear, Great Heavens picked up in tremendous style to continue her rapid improvement this season – and maintain trainer John Gosden’s golden summer.

The Dermot Weld-trained Ribblesdale winner Princess Highway could not quicken up in the testing ground.

Great Heavens, sent off the heavily-backed 5-4 favourite, is a full sister to Saturday's King George runner-up Nathaniel.

Both horses are owned by Lady Rothschild.

Great Heavens also became Gosden and Buick’s second Group One winner in Ireland this season after Izzi Top struck in the Pretty Polly Stakes.

Shirocco Star turned the tables on Epsom conqueror Was and Ascot foe Princess Highway, but a stewards’ enquiry was called due to interference inside the final two furlongs.

The Curragh stewards later announced that the placings remained unaltered.

Princess Highway crossed the line in third, with Was back in fourth.