Friday's G1 Betfred Oaks looked a competitive renewal beforehand, but in the end it was Shapoor Mistry's homebred Thundering On (Frankel) who held sway in some style.Settled last early by Dylan Browne McMonagle, the 5-1 shot went through the Classic like the proverbial knife through butter and when asked to kick on brushed aside Legacy Link (Dubawi) inside the final furlong. At the line, the daughter of the ill-fated Pretty Polly heroine Thundering Nights (Night Of Thunder) had 3 3/4 lengths to spare over Juddmonte's blueblood, who was in turn six lengths clear of Ballydoyle's pace-setting Sugar Island (Dubawi) in third. The 7-4 favourite Amelia Earhart (Camelot) was only sixth.It was Joseph O'Brien's first Epsom Classic and a first English Classic for the supremely-confident rider who said, “We were coming into the race very confident, obviously the trip was going to be the question mark but she's been doing everything so easy, she's improving with every run and there was never a moment's doubt really. I was sitting last and I knew there was nothing going to be coming from behind me and I always had everything covered in front.”“She's got a lot of class. It's a great training performance from Joseph, everybody does a great job at home and I'm very lucky to be getting my leg across. It's unbelievable, this is what we all dream of doing. Coming to these places is where you want to be and riding in these races; coming here this weekend we've got two live chances in Classics, it doesn't usually happen but we've got one ticked off so hopefully roll on to tomorrow. The sky's the limit. She's very, very talented so a big well done to everyone and a big thanks to everyone who has got her here and hello to everyone at home in Donegal watching.”“It was effortless, she's so, so talented,” he added of the Salsabil winner. “She is improving with every run and can go wherever she wants.”Wow. Wow. Wow! brilliantly wins the Betfred Oaks at Epsom pic.twitter.com/3ev8KpXbjH— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 5, 2026The post ‘It Was Effortless’: Oaks Glory For McMonagle And Thundering On appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.