Jan Brueghel just outbattled stablemate Illinois as Aidan O’Brien saddled the first two home in the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday.
Racing TV reports that following on from the success of Continuous 12 months ago, the master of Ballydoyle has now claimed the world’s oldest Classic eight times.
He was holding all the aces entering the home straight, with Grosvenor Square leading from Illinois and Jan Brueghel.Grosvenor Square was passed at the two-furlong pole, from where 11-4 joint-favourites Illinois and Jan Brueghel took control.
Sean Levey shows his delight as he holds the prized silverware aloft (Pic – Doncaster Racecourse)
And it was Jan Brueghel, partnered by former Ballydoyle apprentice Sean Levey, who ultimately stayed on the strongest to get home by a neck and stretch his unbeaten record to four.
There was drama in terms of the minor honours, as Deira Mile went past the post in third and Sunway was fourth home, but those placings were reversed following a stewards’ inquiry.
Levey, who won the 1000 Guineas on Billesdon Brook in 2018 and this year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas with Rosallion, said: “You’ll take any Classic, any Classic at this stage. Another one on my belt.
“Absolute privilege to get the ride from Aidan and the team. He looks like a very nice horse, he gives me the impression he could be a Gold Cup horse next year maybe, but I’m sure they will find a nice place for him to go next.
“I think he’s just a baby, he’s only a young thing. He ran in snatches a little bit down the back, but I got what I needed from him.
“I thought he might stop if I challenged too early. I always knew I would head him (Illinois) when I needed to.”
Levey, who joined O’Brien as a 17-year-old before moving to England in 2011, added: “No doubt he (O’Brien) has been very good to me. I’ve got him a winner and he’s been happy to use me and give an opportunity like today.”
Christophe Soumillon was full of praise for Sunway, who again ran creditably in defeat behind Jan Brueghel in the Betfred St Leger, having come close in the Irish Derby earlier in the season.
Deira Mile and Sunway were third and fourth past the post respectively, with a nose separating them.
However, Owen Burrows’ Deira Mile had given David Menuisier’s Sunway a hefty bump and their placings were reversed.
Soumillon said: “He ran really well, but when we were fighting it out inside the last 250 yards he got a big bump from the horse on his outside, which meant we lost third place on the line.
Jan Brueghel fends off Illinois (rail) with Sunway (noseband) and Deira Mile in behind (Mike Egerton/PA)
“He’s a very nice horse, he did everything perfect today and I’m very happy with the run. There’s a nice race in him.”
Menuisier, speaking before the reversal was confirmed, said: “He would have clearly finished third and I’d be amazed if we don’t get it.
“He ran another good race as usual, he just found a couple of better ones today.
“He could have done with a stronger pace but we have no excuses, he was third best today.
“I think he’ll run again this season as he’s had a little break, but I don’t know where yet.”
Burrows had no complaints about Deira Mile being demoted from third, and expected to be so in the immediate aftermath.
“He’s run a good race and probably could have done with a stronger gallop, but unfortunately he gave Sunway a bump and I think we’ll lose third,” he said.
“With the blinkers on I was conscious I didn’t want him seeing loads of daylight, so Jason (Watson) dropped him in, but the way the race was run, it was an advantage to be closer to the pace.
“The race wasn’t run to suit. He travelled into it good, stayed the trip well, but they dictated the pace from the front.
“The owner is keen to have a crack at the Arc and why not, he likes a punt.
“He’s run a similar race to what Hukum did in this, but I don’t think he’s another Hukum, unfortunately!”
- www.racingtv.com
