Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O’Brien sent out five fillies for the G1 English Oaks but it was outsider Was who did best of the battalion to score by a neck at $21.

Was (3f Galileo – Alluring Park by Green Desert) continued O’Brien’s domination of the European classics on Friday at Epsom Downs.  He won the English 1000 and 2000 Guineas plus the Irish 2000 Guineas last month.

The Galileo filly relaxed on the rail behind the leaders before responding under Seamie Heffernan in the straight.  “She’s progressing all the time,” O’Brien said.  “We’re really looking forward to the future with her.”

Bred in Ireland by Lodge Park Stud, Was cost 1.20 million guineas (AUD 1.99 million) at the 2010 Tattersalls October yearling sale.

Galileo has now sired 28 Group 1 winners.  Her dam Alluring Park is a stakes-placed sister to the high-class Japanese sprinter Shinko Forest.  She is also a half-sister to English Derby winner New Approach (Galileo).  Another half-sister Dazzling Park is the second dam of Phoenix Stakes winner Alfred Nobel who shuttles to Lynward Park in WA.

Lodge Park Stud owner Seamus Burns bought into the family when he purchased Alluring Park’s G1 winning dam Park Express (Ahonoora) as a yearling.  Burns will offer a yearling sister to Was at this year’s Tattersalls October yearling sale.