David Egan, having his first ride in the St Leger on the 9-2 chance Eldar Eldarov, won a dramatic race for the world’s oldest Classic at Doncaster on Sunday in which the second horse home was demoted to fourth after a stewards’ inquiry. The day was marked by a series of tributes to the Queen following racing’s return to action after a break of 48 hours and the meeting being put back a day.
Egan dedicated his triumph to Jack de Bromhead, who died last weekend in a riding accident in Ireland and was the 13-year-old son of hugely successful racehorse trainer Henry de Bromhead. “It’s a week since Jack de Bromhead died and he was the first person I thought of when I crossed the line – that was for him,” said Egan.
The jockey and his mount, who looked to have a lot to do two furlongs out, prevailed in a close fight with Frankie Dettori’s ride Haskoy and the hot favourite New London.
Egan explained: “He’s a tough horse and early in the street he got a bump and my momentum went a bit. He got back on course and I always thought he was going to get there.”
“I was an apprentice with Roger [Varian] at the age of 16 so to win a Classic for him is so special,” added the rider.
Varian, who also won the Leger with Kingston Hill in 2014, said: “I think we see [the winner] as a Cup horse next season, he’s blessed with stamina and has an admirable attitude. If he stays sound we could have him for the next two, three or four years. I think he’s very exciting. I’m delighted for David, you won’t meet a nicer guy, he’s genuine, hard working and gracious in defeat while not being obnoxious in victory.”
The closing stages were rough and Haskoy drifted towards the far rail at one stage and impeded Giavellotto. Following the race the stewards deemed the interference Haskoy caused the third home was serious enough for the filly to be placed fourth behind Marco Botti’s charge, with New London promoted to second. Dettori got a five-day ban which starts the day after the Arc de Triomphe.
The Queen memorably won the Leger with Dunfermline in the Silver Jubilee year of 1977 and the racing at Doncaster, which was the first to take place since the death of the monarch on Thursday and took place after a two minutes’ silence, was inevitably tinged with sadness.
Beverley 1.42 Martin’s Brig 2.17 Havana By The Sea 2.52 Scarlet 3.27 Impeachment 4.02 Sherdil 4.35 Broadspear 5.05 Tele Red
Sandown Park 1.50 Sir Benedict (nb) 2.25 Local Dynasty 3.00 Radetsky March 3.35 Bayside Boy 4.10 Rose Barton 4.40 Phantasy Mac 5.10 Golden Chain
Yarmouth 2.10 Rabat 2.45 Obelix 3.20 Sound Angela (nap) 3.55 Enigmatic 4.30 X J Rascal 5.00 Cancan In The Rain 5.37 Time Step
Kelso 3.40 Mortlach 4.15 Caius Marcius 4.45 Raecius Felix 5.15 Strong Team 5.45 If Not For Dylan 6.15 Getman 6.45 Moonshine Molly
Dettori, who completed a Group-race double on the day on Kinross in the Park Stakes, returned victorious after the opening race on Chaldean in the Champagne Stakes but there was no trademark flying dismount and the jockey, who rode over 50 winners for the Queen, said: “There is a bit of an empty feeling in the weighing room. I didn’t jump off out of respect. We have to deal with it and we’re going to miss her a lot.”
The influence of the Queen on horse racing, which was her passion, was immeasurable and the sport is facing up to an uncertain future without her.
The Mail on Sunday reported sources were clear that Camilla, the Queen Consort, would be the figurehead in charge of the 24 royal horses in training with the new King expected to order a formal review of the Royal Stud which currently houses 80 brood mares.
Ayr 1.20 Chuzzlewit 1.50 Lovely Lady 2.25 Never Dark (nb) 3.00 Al Mubhir 3.35 Misty Dancer 4.10 Asdaa 4.45 A Boy Named Ivy 5.20 Monhammer
Yarmouth 1.35 Plantatree 2.10 Glenfinnan 2.45 Eternal Flame 3.20 Canadian Fire 3.55 The Gadget Man (nap) 4.30 Iconique 5.05 Pocket The Profit 5.35 Kardinya
Pontefract 1.42 Round The Island 2.17 Noble Title 2.52 Desert Games 3.27 Amalfi Bay 4.02 Another Romance 4.37 Wynford 5.10 Firth Of Clyde 5.40 Regal Mirage
Chelmsford City 5.00 Amasova 5.30 Limelight 6.00 Woolhampton 6.30 Lumacho 7.00 Digital 7.30 Gordons Aura 8.00 Bankawi 8.30 At Liberty
Newcastle 5.45 Postmark 6.15 City Runner 6.45 Light Up Our Stars 7.15 Swiss Ace 7.45 Cotai Pearl 8.15 Strike Red 8.45 The Bell Conductor
Outstanding stayer Kyprios, the Gold Cup winner at Royal Ascot, claimed his fifth race in a row in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh but it was Moyglare Stakes winner Tahiyra, who brushed aside the highly regarded Meditate, who excited most racegoers.
Her master trainer, Dermot Weld, said he will now bring her back next season and aim her “at one of the Guineas.” Ladbrokes are 4-1 about her for the English 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket.
