Racing Digest: O’Brien Completes Oaks Double, Romance Retires, and Fanning Calls It a Day

Epsom Downs, home of the Epsom Oaks
Epsom Downs, home of the Epsom Oaks (Image: Chris Dukes, Shutterstock)

With England’s World Cup campaign drawing to a familiar end, the pick of last week’s racing action came in Ireland. Saturday afternoon saw the three-year-old fillies take their turn in the Curragh spotlight with the 2026 edition of the Irish Oaks.

As has so often been the case in British, Irish, or French Classics this season, O’Brien proved tough to stop in the big race, but this time it was Joseph, rather than Aidan, who came out on top. Earlier in the week, one of the sport’s most successful riders announced he was hanging up the saddle, and an all-time Godolphin great headed into a well-earned retirement.

Oaks Delight for Joseph as Johanna Delivers in Style


Ten fillies lined up for the 2026 edition of the Irish Oaks, seven of whom hailed from the yard of Aidan or Joseph O’Brien. But for the late withdrawal of Joseph O’Brien’s Epsom Oaks heroine Thundering On, that number would have been eight. The William Haggas-trained Earth Shot and David Menuisier’s Inis Mor flew the flag for England, with Jim Bolger’s Sparan Nua completing the line-up.

Arriving on the back of a win in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes, the Haggas filly was the choice of the market. However, the 9/4 favourite had no answers to the runner who finished one place behind her in that Royal Ascot contest. Any thoughts that the absence of Thundering On had derailed Joseph O’Brien’s chances proved wide of the mark.

Travelling supremely well throughout, Johanna Walsh cruised onto the shoulders of the leaders in the straight before producing a burst of acceleration to put the race to bed in an instant. Four lengths was the winning margin at the line, with Inis Mor staying on best for second.

One of the most surprising elements of this result was the performance of the Aidan O’Brien runners. Following a 1-2-3 in the Irish Derby, the Ballydoyle maestro posted a 7-8-9-10 in this 10-runner field, with Amelia Earhart faring best of his challengers in fifth.

Just as his father won the 2026 editions of the English and Irish Derby with two different colts, Joseph has matched that effort with two different runners in the equivalent fillies’ Classics. Johanna Walsh is set to be given a break ahead of an Autumn campaign. On this evidence, she will take some stopping wherever she turns up next.

Romance Story Ends on a High


Only last week, Rebel’s Romance hit the headlines courtesy of a 22nd career success at the Newmarket July Festival. A week later, Charlie Appleby broke the news that the eight-year-old had run his final race.

A fourth crack at the Breeders’ Cup Turf looked like a possible target following that win in the Princess Of Wales’s Stakes. However, Appleby was keen to stress that connections would take it day by day in regard to future plans. Granted time to reflect, those close to the horse have decided that now is the time to call it a day. While Rebel’s Romance will be a big miss at the track, he did at least end on a high and retires fit and well.

Reflecting on his association with a horse who won nine times in Group/Grade 1 company and amassed over £12m in prize money, Appleby stated,

It’s been an absolute honour to train such an amazing horse, who has been a dream to look after from the moment he arrived.

William Buick, who rode Rebel’s Romance in 27 of his 32 starts and has previously labelled the gelding his “best friend”, also paid tribute, saying,

Rebel’s Romance has taken me on some great adventures, and I feel immensely privileged to have been able to ride a horse of his stature. I cherish the moments we’ve had together.

Fanning Retires at 55


Earlier in the week, one of the most successful riders in the history of the sport called time on his career in typically low-key style. Out of action since undergoing successful prostate cancer surgery in November 2025, Joe Fanning announced that he would be retiring with immediate effect.

The name Joe Fanning may not be as familiar to those outside the sport as that of Frankie Dettori, Lester Piggott, or Pat Eddery, but that is at least partly down to his attitude. Steering clear of the limelight and flying dismounts, Fanning quietly set about doing what he does best – riding winners.

Riding his first flat winner at Yarmouth in 1990, his last victory came aboard Loquella at Newcastle on 27 November 2025. That final success took Fanning’s career tally to an incredible 2,947 British flat wins. In the long history of British flat racing, only Sir Gordon Richards, Pat Eddery, Lester Piggott, Willie Carson, Doug Smith, and Frankie Dettori have ridden more winners.

As with all riders, certain victories tower above the rest. When looking back on his career, Fanning highlighted his two British Group 1 wins as standout moments, stating,

I’ve been lucky enough to experience countless special days in racing, but The Last Lion winning the Middle Park, and Subjectivist’s Ascot Gold Cup success, in Dr Jim Walker’s colours, will always stand out.

The Last Lion and Subjectivist were both trained by Mark Johnston, who supplied Fanning with 1,380 of those British flat winners. The now-retired trainer, who has passed the reins to his son Charlie, expressed a desire that he remains close to the yard:

I just hope he will continue to be associated with our stable and he is worth his weight in gold, even on the gallops.

The last word goes to Fanning, who was keen to thank all those who had helped him along the way:

I’d like to thank every owner, trainer, stable staff, jockey, racecourse official and racing fan who has supported me throughout my career. I’ve been privileged to do a job I’ve loved for so many years, and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunities and friendships the sport has given me.