Dubai: Epsom Oaks (G1) heroine Taghrooda has been handed a chance to establish herself as the best of her generation after being redirected to next week’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Ascot, instead of Saturday’s Darley Irish Oaks (G1) at The Curragh.

The decision, which was taken by Taghrooda’s owner Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, has stunned most racing enthusiasts but has ensured that another Shaikh Hamdan-owned filly, Tarfasha, is the new favourite for the Irish Classic.

Tarfasha was a second behind Taghrooda in the Oaks at Epsom last month and Shaikh Hamdan’s racing manager Angus Gold said on Thursday: “I think Shaikh Hamdan wanted to give her a chance in the big one as she will be retiring at the end of this year.

“He’s got Tarfasha in Ireland who would hopefully have a decent chance in the Oaks, and he just felt this filly is not going to have too many more races and deserved a chance.”

Shaikh Hamdan, who is currently the leading owner in Britain, last won the King George with Nashwan in 1989. The King George is Britain’s most prestigious open-age flat race and carries a purse of £1 million (Dh6.2 million).

Taghrooda is a 4-1 third favourite with Sir Michael Stoute’s Telescope, winner of the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, the 7-4 favourite.

Meanwhile, 11 fillies including Ballydoyle’s Irish 1,000 Guineas (G1) winner Marvellous, who was sixth in the Epsom Oaks, and Royal Ascot scorer Bracelet, go to post in Saturday’s race.

Pat Smullen, who takes the ride on the Dermott Weld-trained Tarfasha, is confident that his filly will be more suited by the ground at The Curragh, which was as good to firm on Thursday morning,

“Tarfasha is in great order and ready to run,” Smullen told At The Races.

“The race went perfectly for me at Epsom. The winner was just extremely good on the day but it’s a different day and different track.

“Our filly will be happier at the Curragh and I expect her to improve for Epsom.”

Tarfasha’s main rivals appear to be a formidable, five-strong raiding party from the Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle stables.

They include Ribblesdale Stakes (G2) scorer Bracelet and Irish Guineas winner Marvellous, who will join Beyond Brilliance, Palace and Tapestry.

O’Brien’s daughter, Ana, makes her Classic debut aboard Beyond Brilliance, while her brother Joseph, partners Tapestry. Colm O’Donoghue will ride Bracelet and Ryan Moore Marvellous. Seamie Heffernan gets to partner Palace.

Richard Hannon’s Ribblesdale Stakes runner-up Lustrous and Luca Cumani’s Volume, who was third in the Epsom Oaks, also figure prominently.