Irish bitches dominated the first round of the best English Oaks in many years at Perry Barr on Saturday afternoon. The Mark O’Donovan trained Skywalker Cilla became the first bitch ever to break 28.00 at the Oaks venue and the first of either gender to achieve the feat in six years.

The daughter of Laughil Blake had been unable to contest the Irish Oaks having won the prestigious Champion Bitch Stake at Thurles earlier in the year, but was only one spot slower than Susie Sapphire when landing the Irish Derby consolation in 29.19 for 550yds at Shelbourne.

Billys Diva and Front Amani, who finished third and fifth behind Susie Sapphire in the Irish Oaks stamped that form when landing the forecast in the sixth heat in an impressive 28.19 with Jaguar Macie back in third.

 

 

BILLYS DIVA (t1) leads at the first bend from Front Amani (t6) and Jaguar Macie (t3) in heat 6. Photo: © Steve Nash

COOLAVANNY AUNTY leads at first bend in heat 12. Oaks heats, Perry Barr 9th October 2021 Photo: © Steve Nash