"It’s exciting to have a filly like her" - Oaks heroine set for quick reappearance in Pretty Polly

Jon Vine

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Last updated: Wed 24 Jun 2026 15:38

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Thundering On could run in the Pretty Polly Stakes after Epsom Oaks win
Trainer Joseph O'Brien is confident over her distance & ground adaptability
The Irish Oaks remains the main target for the season

Dylan Browne McMonagle celebrates riding Thundering On to victory in the Betfred Oaks. (Getty)

Just three weeks after her impressive victory in the Epsom Oaks, Thundering On could represent Joseph O'Brien in Saturday's Pretty Polly Stakes.

The last filly to attempt this audacious double was Minding, who won the Oaks and the Pretty Polly in 2016. Aidan O'Brien's filly then skipped the Irish Oaks to target the Nassau Stakes and the Irish Champion Stakes, before rounding off a stunning campaign with victory over a mile in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

Thundering On copied Minding's late surge when handing Joseph O'Brien his first victory in the Epsom Oaks earlier this month. Dylan Browne McMonagle held his well-backed mount up at the rear, before slicing through the field and powering clear to win that Classic by four lengths.

The Irish Oaks then seemed the most obvious next target for Thundering On. However, Joseph O'Brien has other ideas, and hopes to win the Pretty Polly Stakes for the third time in his career.

"We won the Pretty Polly with her dam (Thundering Nights) and if she did turn up you’d imagine she’d be a short-priced favourite." Joseph told the press.

"There is a good chance that she might turn up there, but we’ll just see how she is during the week."

"Obviously when you’re backing up so soon you kind of have to leave the final decision as late as possible, but we’re very happy with how she’s been since Epsom."

"The Irish Oaks is the race we’re very keen on, we want to have her at fever pitch for that, but I quite like the look of the Pretty Polly on the way there in terms of timing, I think 10 furlongs is a lovely trip for her and I think the Curragh will be a good track for her."

"I don’t think dropping back in trip will be a problem. There is an argument to be made for 10 furlongs being her best trip even, but we’ll see through the course of the season."

The ground was verging on soft when Thundering On won the Oaks at Epsom. Conditions will be very different this weekend, as the UK and Ireland continue to experience soaring temperatures. However, there seem to be no ground concerns in the favourite's camp.

O'Brien continued, "The ground was good and quick in Navan and she handled slower ground in Epsom and in the Curragh last year, so I don’t think she has a worry in terms of ground conditions."

"I think she’s a nice filly and she won very well in Epsom. She got a good set-up and a good ride on the day, she has a high rating and she is now short in the market for all the biggest races in the world."

"It’s exciting to have a filly like her and hopefully we can have a smooth passage through the season with her."

You can find the latest betting for the 2026 Pretty Polly Stakes here on our website...