The Albany Gazette - Diamond sparkles in French Oaks as Moore completes classic clean sweep

The unbeaten Aidan O'Brien-trained winner became the first filly from outside France to sweep the Prix Marcel Boussac (France's leading two-year-old race for fillies), French 1000 Guineas and the French Oaks.

She joins among others legends Allez France and Zarkava, who both went on to win arguably Europe's most prestigious race the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

For O'Brien, it was his seventh classic victory this term -- his record-extending 12th Epsom Derby triumph last weekend taking him to 50 British classics in his career.

Moore had to get to work on Diamond Necklace halfway down the finishing straight, but once she found her rhythm, she surged into the lead and gamely fought off a challenge by 50/1 outsider Pink Panthera.

Inis Mor, trained in England by Frenchman David Menuisier, was third.

Moore was blissfully unaware of his landmark -- in completing a sweep of the Irish, English and French classics during his career.

"I did not know that," said Moore

"I am very lucky to ride for Aidan and Coolmore (the breeding operation), they produce extraordinary horses, or buy amazing ones like Diamond Necklace" who cost 1.7 million euros.

"I did not think I would get beat, she does what she needs to do, she is very straightforward.

"We do not know what she can go on and do but she is capable of anything as she has done everything we have asked her to do," added the 42-year-old Englishman.

O'Brien, 56, said he was "breathless and lost for words", but managed to gather his thoughts eventually.

"She is an amazing, uncomplicated filly and was given a beautiful ride," he said.

"We always thought she had a lot of class, she is a very nimble and natural filly.

"There is a possibility of running her in the Arc de Triomphe."

She is due to ride in an Arc de Triomphe trial in September.

Derrick Smith and his fellow owners have also won seven of the nine major classics this season.

"It means everything to turn up and see something like that," he said.

"She suffered a bit of interference in the middle of the race so she could conceivably have won by more.

"It is a joy to be here.

"It makes the journey back a lot better when they win!" he chuckled.

For Menuisier ,it justified his belief in her, which had not been reflected amongst the bookmakers who had her at odds of 20/1.

"I am absolutely thrilled, a bit emotional because we always felt that she could do something special and this is a massive performance," he said.

"Everything went her way. She really showed how good she was. I'm proud."

(A.Johnson--TAG)