The Laura Mongan-trained Harbour Law was the shock winner of an eventful running of the Gr1 Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday afternoon.
Harbour Law (orange) comes home strongly
The 22/1 shot stayed on stoutly to pass the 14/1 runner-up Ventura Storm and 7/1 third Housesofparliament in the closing stages to give Epsom its first Classic winner since 1969 (Right Tack in the 2000 Guineas, trained by John Sutcliffe junior).
The race was not without drama though as the 4/6 favourite, Idaho, unseated his jockey Seamie Heffernan halfway down the home straight after stumbling when travelling powerfully behind the leaders.
The victory not only gave George Baker his first Classic success but it was also the first time a female trainer has trained the winner of Britain’s oldest Classic.
Baker had been previously been denied two big prizes yesterday at Doncaster. He was beaten a nose on Quest For More in the 250th Doncaster Cup (by Sheikhzayedroad) and also by length and a quarter on Seamour in the Ladbrokes Mallard Handicap (by Wall Of Fire).
“I can’t believe that,” said Baker.
“I am so happy for Laura and Ian (Mongan – former jockey and Laura’s husband) because they have had so much belief in him.
“They have done everything right – they have given him plenty of time between his races and it has 110 per cent paid dividends for them.
“It’s an amazing feeling. It was a hard day yesterday and I find that you have to get over it, work out if you think you can make any improvement and get on with it.
“Today is just a sweet, sweet result.
“I worked him at Kempton about two weeks ago and he felt brilliant. I kind of felt that we all had Idaho to beat and, when they had that incident, it made it a very open race.”
