THERE were a couple of possible scenarios in the 247th running of the Betfred St Leger that might have got racing off the back pages; Desert Hero providing a first royal Classic winner since Dunfermline won the race in 1977 and sealing The King and Queen’s first season with the royal silks was one, while Arrest providing Frankie Dettori a seventh and final win was another.
However, as he has done so often in the past, Aidan O’Brien introduced a bit of reality to the dreamers and won the St Leger for a seventh time when Continuous, an improving colt who might yet go well in the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe a week on Sunday, proved too classy for both rivals and fairy-tales.
He came home a decisive two-and-three-quarter length winner over Arrest, the only colt to have contested both the Derby and St Leger this year, with Desert Hero, without ever having looked a likely winner, a further half-length away in a gallant third.
Ballydoyle has had three top-class three-year-old colts this year; the miler and unexpected star Paddington, the Derby winner Auguste Rodin and, joining the Classic party, Continuous.
Japan has been a good source of new blood for Coolmore. Auguste Rodin is by the Japanese super-sire Deep Impact, while Saturday’s hero (or anti-hero, depending your stance) is by another Japanese stallion, Heart’s Cry, the only horse to lower Deep Impact’s colours in Japan in the 2005 Arima Kinen over an extended mile and a half.
Ryan Moore, a regular in Japan, was therefore confident Continuous would stay, and so it proved. Using his turn of foot, Moore brought him from almost last turning in to lead two out.
Denne historien er fra September 21, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra September 21, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
