The Kildangan Stud Irish Oaks produced a fairytale result for Ed Dunlop as Lailani led home a 1-2 for the Newmarket trainer at a sun-drenched Curragh.
Supplemented at a cost of IR28,000 after a stylish defeat of yesterday's Magnet Cup winner Foreign Affairs at Epsom, the Unfawain fully justified that bold decision as she reeled in stable-mate Mot Juste close home under a determined Frankie Dettori.
Chamela Bay had set a searching pace before dropping away in the straight, leaving Mot Juste in front, but Richard Hughes' mount was unable to resist the winner's late charge, as Karsavina stayed on late to get third.
Dunlop, whose father John saddled sixth-placed Time Away, was delighted with his initial Classic success in these islands from his first ever runners at the Curragh.
'That was tremendous - Frankie has given her a brilliant ride, and the second has also run a great race,' opined Dunlop, who landed the 1996 French 2000 Guineas with Ta-Rib.
Future plans for the pair are uncertain although Joe Mercer, the winning owner's racing manager, indicated that the Yorkshire Oaks is a strong possibility for Lailani.
Mull Of Kintyre and King Charlemagne were both described by trainer Aidan O'Brien as 'possibles' for the Sussex Stakes after fighting out the finish of the Group 3 Minstrel Stakes, with the latter just getting the verdict by a neck.
'We will certainly consider Goodwood for these two, although we also have Black Minnaloushe and Bach in that race,' said Aidan O'Brien afterwards.
Newpark Lady gave former National Hunt jockey Kevin O'Brien his biggest success since taking out a trainer's licence some three years ago when capturing the valuable Rockingham Handicap.
Richard Hughes, a much sought-after jockey in sprint races, delivered the filly with a perfectly-timed challenge to collar the trail-blazing Pipisflying close home.
Nina Carberry recorded her first winner in the plate aboard Sabrinsky in the opening Ladies Derby, bringing her mount home two lengths clear of the fast-finishing Timber King.
The exploits of father Tommy and brothers Paul and Philip mean that the teenager has quite a lot to live up to, but judging by her polished performance here she could have a very bright future ahead of her.
Trainer Noel Meade preferred to attend the Leinster Final between his beloved Meath and Dublin, but his partner Gillian O'Brien revealed that the French-bred is now likely to head for the Galway Festival.
Flying filly Real Delight could be set for a quick reappearance at Leopardstown on Wednesday after making all to hold the late thrust of the slow-starting Soaring Eagle in the 5f auction race.
Trainer Pat Carey, saddling his first winner at headquarters, said : 'I'll have a look at the (Listed) Silver Flash Stakes if she comes out of this ok. That race is over 6f, but I think she'll get it all right.'
Tarakan (4/1-5/1-4/1f) stepped up on a promising seasonal debut over course and distance on Derby Day to take the 1m handicap in good style.
Christy Roche, who took charge of the six year-old following the retirement of Frank Berry, revealed that he may have been a slightly unlucky loser last time.
'He was left behind after becoming very upset in the stalls and Paul Scallan, who rode him there, told me that he'd win today,' said the Kildare handler.
Francis Bay will revert to fences for the Galway Plate at Ballybrit, where he won last year, after holding the gambled-on Ojay by a neck in a desperate finish to the 2m handicap.
The runner-up, backed from 7/1 to 4/1f, encountered plenty of trouble in running and would have got up in another couple of strides.
Sholokhov (7/4-9/4f) overcame greenness to deny the well-touted Stage Call in the concluding 7f maiden before surviving a subsequent stewards' enquiry.
The first two pulled three lengths clear of the third and look sure to go on to better things.
The crowd of 10,152 was a record for Oaks Day.
