EPSOM, United Kingdom: Talent gave jockey Richard Hughes his second English classic win of the season as she produced a stunning burst of speed to win the Epsom Oaks yesterday.

Hughes — 40 and who had not ridden an English classic winner until Sky Lantern won the 1000 Guineas earlier this month — guided the 20/1 Ralph Beckett-trained outsider ahead of better fancied stablemate Secret Gesture (3/1).

Secret Gesture — which Qatari Sheikh Fahad al Thani bought half of earlier in the week — edged out 16/1 chance The Lark while Irish champion trainer Aidan O’Brien’s favorite Moth was fourth.

Hughes admitted that he had not been very confident after he saw the filly for the first time earlier in the week at Beckett’s stables.

“I rode her work during the week and wasn’t impressed. I came home and said, ‘she’s skinnier than me’,” said the Irishman, who was crowned British champion jockey last year and landed seven races on one day at Windsor.

However, it was a different impression once he had her going in the race itself.

“Tom Queally (on Madame Defarge) was extremely good to me coming down the hill as I edged him out,” he said.

“I just said to him (Queally) turning for home, ‘Can you believe how well I’m going?’ “I’d say on better ground she’ll be better.” Talent, whose sire (father) New Approach has the favorite in today’s Epsom Derby in Dawn Approach, was Beckett’s second win in the race, having won with 33/1 outsider Look Here in 2008.

However, Beckett admitted he had thought Hughes might turn down the ride after he saw her in the stables.

“Richard came to ride her work and I knew by the look on his face he thought, ‘I don’t fancy this much’” said the 42-year-old.

“I wasn’t watching her until she loomed up on the outside — she’s very tough.

What a day.” Moth and Secret Gesture looked to have the race between them entering the final two furlongs but the former found nothing when jockey Joseph O’Brien asked for an extra effort.

Jim Crowley, however, looked to have the race won until Hughes brought Talent from third last to first in seconds and she eventually prevailed by a comfortable 3 and 3/4 lengths.

Oaks day also saw the return of star jockey Frankie Dettori after he served a ban for taking cocaine, but if the crowd were hoping for a fairytale they were to be disappointed as the Italian finished last on the two rides he had prior to the Oaks.

“I’m afraid a little bit for the future but I’m positive, have a good clear head and a.m. looking forward to the challenge,” tweeted the 42-year-old, who did not have a ride in the Oaks.