Star Performer of the Weekend
The first Group 1 of the weekend was over at Leopardstown in Ireland, where Porta Fortuna justified her short price favouritism in the Matron Stakes. She skipped clear in the final furlong after tracking the leading group for most of the race, eventually winning by a length. She carries an entry in the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket at the start of October, and that looks to be her sole destination for the remainder of this season.
Next up was the Irish Champion Stakes, in which favourite Economics got up close to the line to narrowly edge out the second favourite, Auguste Rodin. Economics left his bid for the title late, as he spent much of the race in midfield before keeping on well under pressure in the closing stages. He would need to be supplemented for the Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe at Longchamp next month if William Haggas intends to run him there, but if not then he'll head straight to Champions Day at Ascot, where he's 6/4 to win the Champion Stakes.
The showpiece event of the weekend in Britain was undoubtedly the final British Classic of the season, the Group 1 St Leger at Doncaster. All three of Aidan O'Brien's entries were at the top of the market, but it was the joint favourites who fought out the finish, with Jan Brueghel eventually coming out on top of Illinois. It was Illinois who made his move first, racing in second for most of the trip before taking the lead with two furlongs to go, but Jan Brueghel pushed on to get his end in front in the final half furlong and just held off Wayne Lordan's mount. Jan Brueghel's only upcoming entry is in the Melbourne Cup in November, where he's a 12/1 shot.
On Sunday, all eyes were on The Curragh and their Irish St Leger card. The feature Group 1 of the day was unsurprisingly won by Kyprios, who was sent off 2/5 favourite and looked like he was the right price all the way around. Kyprios tracked the leader until the three furlong marker, where Ryan Moore asked the question and Aidan O'Brien's staying star duly obliged, kicking clear and winning by over two lengths. Next up for Kyprios appears to be the British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot, and he's a short price 4/5 to claim gold in that.
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