16:40 Curragh (IRE) 12 Sep 2021
Comer Group International Irish St. Leger
Group 1 | Class 1 | 3YO plus
Winner €290,000 - 13 ran
settled behind leaders, moderate 5th halfway, progress in 4th and closer 3f out, ridden in 3rd 2f out, stayed on in 2nd 1 1/2f out, led narrowly 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong
chased leader, moderate 2nd halfway, closed 3f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1f out, rallied and pressed winner inside final furlong, held close home
mid-division, ridden to close in 7th 3f out, stayed on into 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up, ridden in 9th 3f out, stayed on into 6th 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, moderate 4th halfway, ridden in 5th but closer 3f out, under pressure 2f out, kept on one pace
settled mid-division, ridden to close in 6th 3f out, 4th 2f out, no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, no extra inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
towards rear, ridden in rear 4f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
towards rear, ridden 4f out, soon no impression, kept on one pace from over 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, kept on one pace
led, clear after 3f, well clear halfway, ridden and reduced advantage 3f out, headed 2f out, soon no extra, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and no impression 3f out, no extra 2f out, weakened
chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, ridden and closer 3f out, no extra 2f out, weakened
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | €6.13 |
| CSF | €21.64 (7, 8) |
| Tricast | €106.99 (7, 8, 4) |
| Win | €4.80 (7) |
| Place | €1.80 (7), €1.80 (8), €1.90 (4) |
| Exacta | €25.40 (7, 8) |
| Trifecta | €101.40 (7, 8, 4) |
Expert Analysis
A solid renewal of this historic race, with 13 runners and little on paper between several smart ones. In the event, it was run at an overly strong gallop, certainly for the long-time leader, but also to a lesser degree for the main body, the runners well strung out from an early stage and the majority of their finishing speeds below 100%. The form may not prove completely reliable but the right horses came to the fore.
SONNYBOYLISTON (116 here, 113 previously) improved even on the form of his Ebor win to bag another big prize under a well-judged ride, quickly away but soon settled into fifth, making headway before 3f out and delivered to lead under pressure approaching the final 1f (later than his main rival), driven out and game to the finish. He should have no problem with staying 16f.
TWILIGHT PAYMENT (115 here, 117 previously) ran a cracker and deserves some extra credit in racing closer to the overly strong pace than most others, rousted into second early, about a dozen lengths down mid-race, but improving steadily to lead approaching 2f out, headed 1f later but continuing to battle on despite being something of a sitting duck by then (99.8% finishing speed compared to 105% par). He is one of the best around at 14f/16f.
BARON SAMEDI (113 here and previously) ran well despite seeming to find even a strongly run 14f barely enough of a test this time, midfield and taking a long time to get going when asked, brought wide and wandering a bit before staying on well.
KING OF THE CASTLE (109 here, 94 previously) seemed to excel himself, though it was only late in the day that he made inroads having been mid to rear and niggled by halfway. He is going to stay even further.
EMPEROR OF THE SUN (107 here, 114 previously) ran respectably and can be marked up a little, in fourth early, unable to go with the principals turning in but sticking to his task.
SEARCH FOR A SONG (103 here, 110 previously) could not complete the hat-trick in this race, not in as good form this time round but also becoming suspect under pressure, racing mid-field on the inner and closing over 2f out before finding little.
CARLISLE BAY (94 here, 101 previously) had a lot on and was not discredited though never a threat.
AIRCRAFT CARRIER (92 here, 96 previously) passed a few only late on.
SEATTLE CREEK (92 here, 81 previously) passed a few late on.
BARBADOS (91 here, 107 previously) under-performed again, never on terms.
AMHRAN NA BHFIANN (87 here, 112 previously) is proving hit and miss but can be excused this as he went too fast, a dozen lengths clear at halfway and capitulating approaching 2f out.
PASSION (80 here, 110? previously) has returned out of form.
MASTER OF REALITY (82 here, 107 previously) showed up for a long way but ended up dropping right away for a poor effort.
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Good | 8 | Search For A Song | 7 | 4 | 9 8 | - | 411-6P3 | 49 days | D K Weld (3 miles) | Oisin Orr | 7/ 1 | 3:06.50 |
| 2019 | Good to Firm | 10 | Search For A Song | 8 | 3 | 8 11 | - | 1241 | 24 days | D K Weld (3 miles) | Chris Hayes | 10/ 1 | 3:03.24 |
| 2018 | Good | 6 | Flag Of Honour | 5 | 3 | 9 1 | - | 1-35011 | 22 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Ryan Moore | 2/ 1 | 3:05.72 |
| 2017 | Soft | 10 | Order Of St George | 5 | 5 | 9 10 | - | 34-2121 | 22 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Ryan Moore | 2/ 5 | 3:07.82 |
| 2016 | Yielding | 4 | Wicklow Brave | 2 | 7 | 9 11 | - | 33-2643 | 23 days | W P Mullins (31 miles) | Frankie Dettori | 11/ 1 | 3:05.95 |
| 2015 | Good | 11 | Order Of St George | 9 | 3 | 9 0 | - | 152-211 | 21 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Joseph O'Brien | 5/ 4 | 3:03.19 |
| 2014 | Good to Firm | 11 | Brown Panther | 5 | 6 | 9 11 | - | 8-11323 | 45 days | T Dascombe | Richard Kingscote | 14/ 1 | 2:57.15 |
| 2013 | Good | 10 | Voleuse De Coeurs | 6 | 4 | 9 8 | - | 11-2132 | 22 days | D K Weld (3 miles) | Chris Hayes | 9/ 1 | 3:00.08 |
| 2012 | Yielding | 9 | Royal Diamond | 9 | 6 | 9 11 | - | 3-31232 | 21 days | T Carmody (3 miles) | Niall McCullagh | 16/ 1 | 3:08.47 |
| 2011 | Soft | 6 | Duncan | 3 | 6 | 9 11 | - | 410-162 | 21 days | J & T Gosden | E Ahern | 5/ 1 | 3:08.01 |
| 2010 | Good - Yielding | 8 | Sans Frontieres | 3 | 4 | 9 11 | - | 3-66411 | 28 days | J Noseda | O Peslier | 13/ 8 | 3:10.36 |
| 2009 | Soft | 8 | Alandi | 8 | 4 | 9 11 | - | 1-12251 | 21 days | John Oxx (3 miles) | Mick Kinane | 3/ 1 | 3:14.82 |
| 2008 | Heavy | 9 | Septimus | 5 | 5 | 9 11 | - | 01211-1 | 77 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Seamie Heffernan | 1/ 3 | 3:11.97 |
| 2007 | Good to Firm | 9 | Yeats | 4 | 6 | 9 11 | - | 127-111 | 86 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Kieren Fallon | 4/ 7 | 3:03.40 |
| 2006 | Good | 8 | Kastoria | 8 | 5 | 9 7 | - | 22-1411 | 27 days | John Oxx (3 miles) | Mick Kinane | 6/ 1 | 3:01.00 |
| 2005 | Good | 9 | Collier Hill | 5 | 7 | 9 8 | - | 5-14312 | 55 days | G Swinbank | D McKeown | 10/ 1 | 3:01.20 |
| 2004 | Good | 14 | Vinnie Roe | 5 | 6 | 9 8 | - | 1154-22 | 34 days | D K Weld (3 miles) | P J Smullen | 7/ 2 | 3:03.90 |
| 2003 | Good to Firm | 6 | Vinnie Roe | 4 | 5 | 9 9 | - | 12114-1 | 27 days | D K Weld (3 miles) | P J Smullen | 2/ 1 | 2:58.90 |
| 2002 | Good to Firm | 8 | Vinnie Roe | 7 | 4 | 9 9 | - | 111-121 | 27 days | D K Weld (3 miles) | P J Smullen | 4/ 7 | 2:59.00 |
| 2001 | Good | 8 | Vinnie Roe | 1 | 3 | 8 12 | - | 1-34711 | 21 days | D K Weld (3 miles) | P J Smullen | 5/ 1 | 2:58.40 |
