Johanna Walsh
18th-Jul-2026
It is a pity that Thundering On is out of the Irish Oaks, for the race itself. It is a lesser race without her.
In her absence, I am backing her stable companion Johanna Walsh. I don’t think that she should be as far behind Earth Shot in the market as she is.
Earth Shot was very good at Royal Ascot when we had her on side. She showed a lot of grit and determination to wear down Johanna Walsh close home.
But the race was run at a strong pace, and Johanna Walsh was in front from the three-furlong marker. And she wasn’t helped by the loose horse. Also, the finish at The Curragh is not as stiff as the finish at Ascot, and that could help Johanna Walsh more than Earth Shot, who has stamina in abundance. Her dam won the Group 3 Bronte Cup over a mile and six furlongs. And finally, Colin Keane is a big asset at The Curragh, as will Dylan Browne McMonagle be if he takes the ride now that Thundering On is out.
Like Earth Shot, Johanna Walsh has raced just four times, so she has lots of potential for further progression. Amelia Earhart would be a danger if she bounced back to her Cheshire Oaks form, and Sparan Nua was game in winning the Munster Oaks, and there is no knowing how good fellow supplementary entry Rebel Moon is. She beat her stable companion Johanna Walsh at Gowran on her racecourse debut, and she was good in winning the Blue Wind Stakes last time from Caught U Sleeping, who didn’t do the form any harm with her run in the Lancashire Oaks two weeks ago.
That said, I think that there is more to come from Johanna Walsh, and that she could have the ideal set-up today.
JOHANNA WALSH WON (ADV 9/2, SP 7/2)
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