EPSOM, England, June 1 (UPI) -- Trainer Aidan O'Brien produced a surprise Friday as Was collected the Group 1 Investec Oaks at Epsom at 20-1 odds.
It was no big surprise that O'Brien saddled the winner. After all, he sent out five of the 12 3-year-old fillies that comprised the field. It was a surprise, however, that it was Was that landed the victory for the Irish-based trainer. More likely from O'Brien's barn was the race favorite, Maybe, which finished fifth, nearly 5 lengths in arrears.
Instead, Was, with Seamie Heffernan up, got the advantage with about 2 furlongs left in the 1 1/2-mile test and held on at the end to win by a neck over Shirocco Star. The Fugue was third, 1/2 length farther back.
Was, a Galileo filly, finished in 2 minutes, 38.68 second after tracking a slow pace. It was only the third career start and second win for Was.
"I was worried about her lack of experience but she has improved a lot from her last run," Heffernan said.
O'Brien said plans for his herd of fillies aren't finalized.
"We weren't sure until the last minute which of them we would run," he said. "But when the lads decided we'd run a bunch of them, Seamus didn't take long to decide which of them he'd like to ride.
"We'll talk when we get home and map out plans for all of them. But usually all of our fillies tend to go different ways after this. The Irish Oaks would be a possibility for Was."
O'Brien's other fillies finished eighth, 10th and 11th in the Oaks.
