Sea of Class Bests Forever Together in Irish Oaks

She is just pure class. Trainer William Haggas and jockey James Doyle upset the Ballydoyle party July 21 with a late run by Sea of Class to deny Forever Together in the Darley Irish Oaks (G1), completing a hat trick for Doyle on a rare foray to Ireland.

Held up in last under a patient ride from the supremely confident Doyle, Sea of Class was angled out with a couple of furlongs to go and wore down the Investec Oaks (G1) heroine yards before the line.

Although there was just a neck between them at the finish, Doyle always seemed sure to get there and didn't have to pick up his whip once on the lightly raced daughter of Sea The Stars.

Doyle, who won the Anglesey Stakes (G3) on Marie's Diamond and Minstrel Stakes (G2) on Larchmont Lad earlier on the card, said: "It's unbelievable. I was looking forward to riding her, and obviously with my commitments with Godolphin, it was whether or not it would happen, and it was nice to be able to get here. For things to go as smooth as they have, it's a dream.

"I had full confidence she'd get there. She was absolutely on song at home, and the team have done a marvellous job with her. She's quite a late foal, and she's done very well.

"She was much the best of these today, and hopefully there's more improvement in there as that was just her fourth start. It's a joy to be part of."

Trainer Willie McCreery's Mary Tudor came home in third, while the pacemaking Bye Bye Baby finished fourth. Magic Wand, trainer Aidan O'Brien's first string and a 10-11 favorite, trailed home a disappointing fifth under Ryan Moore.

The group 1, which was commentator Des Scahill's final call in an Irish Classic, was won last year by trainer John Gosden's Enable, and the pair could meet in the Oct. 7 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) at the end of the season. Paddy Power shortened Sea Of Class to 25-1 (from 40) for Europe's premier race at ParisLongchamp.