Epsom Rewind: Qualify produces a major upset in the 2015 Oaks

Aidan O’Brien sent a trio of runners to compete in The Oaks in 2015, with his fifth victory in the contest coming from the unlikeliest source.

Together Forever was considered to be the Ballydoyle trainer’s best chance of success, with Diamondandrubies next and Qualify as the outsider.

However, it was the latter that caused shockwaves in the flat racing world, denying a dream double for 1000 Guineas winner and contest favourite Legatissimo in the closest of margins.

The 50/1 shot entered the home straight in eighth, with O’Brien’s filly beginning to make headway in the final two furlongs.

Colm O’Donoghue continued to ask the three-year-old for more and she answered the call, producing a burst of stamina to put pressure on Legatissimo.

Ryan Moore kicked his mount on in response, who looked to have pulled clear in the final furlong but Qualify had other ideas.

She continued to stay on strongly and the granddaughter of Galileo snatched victory in the final strides, beating David Wachman’s filly by a short head.

Qualify would only be seen on a racetrack once more before being retired, finishing sixth in the Irish Derby three weeks later.

Did you know? The fastest time ever set in The Oaks was 2:34.06 by last year’s winner Love, who beat Enable’s previous record by seven-hundredths of a second.