TAGHROODA gave jockey former Malton jockey Paul Hanagan his first taste of Classic success with an impressive victory in the Investec Oaks at Epsom.

Hanagan, for years the stable jockey of Musley Bank's Richard Fahey, had an effortless ride on the three-year-old filly - travelling powerfully on the heels of the leaders before being sent on early in the straight and powering clear to score by three and three-quarter lengths from Tarfasha.

As well as being a first Classic triumph for Hanagan on his first ride in the Oaks, it was a first in the fillies' showpiece for trainer John Gosden.

Hanagan said: "It feels great, it's what I've worked hard for.

"I'm delighted for the team really, Sheikh Hamdan, Angus Gold, Richard (Hills), it's a big team effort and John Gosden's yard have done a fabulous job.

"We had really bad news recently with the death of John Hills, who was a big part of the team, and I'd just like to say this one is for him."

Gosden added: "He rode her quite beautifully, it was a very smooth ride and he was always in a great position as Richard Hughes was in front playing with the pace a bit. He was able to go and assert and show her class and stamina.

"It's great to win any Classic, it's great for the owner to win with a home-bred, beating the one he bought, that's the right way round."