Moonstone wins Oaks to give O’Brien lucky 13

Jul 14 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

AIDAN O’BRIEN was delighted to grab a 13th Group One victory of the season as Moonstone just get the better of stable-mate Ice Queen in the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh yesterday.

The 2-1 favourite only managed to land the Fillies’ Classic by the shortest of margins under Johnny Murtagh to deny 66-1 chance Ice Queen.

It was the seventh straight Irish Classic victory for the Ballydoyle handler started by Soldier Of Fortune’s Derby win last season. He is in line to complete a clean sweep of Classics in his homeland this time following wins by Henrythenavigator (2000 Guineas), Halfway to Heaven (1000 Guineas) and Frozen Fire (Derby). Moonstone had been second in the Epsom Oaks, but she scored her first ever win yesterday. O’Brien said: “Moonstone is progressing well and will head next for the Yorkshire Oaks (August 21).

“Ice Queen wouldn’t mind dropping back to 10 furlongs.”