Scandinavia Gives O'brien Historic St Leger Victory

Aidan O'Brien became nan first trainer successful nan St Leger's 249-year history to declare 3 consecutive winners arsenic Scandinavia clinched triumph by a neck.

Jockey Tom Marquand steered location nan 2-1 favourite successful a thrilling finish, holding disconnected a precocious complaint for 14-1 chance Rahiebb connected nan line.

O'Brien's Stay True was 3rd while Derby victor Lambourn, nan Irish trainer's last equine location successful nan seven-strong field, faded to decorativeness fourth.

For Marquand it was a saccharine triumph successful beforehand of a packed crowd astatine Doncaster aft his erstwhile triumph successful 2020 came during Covid restrictions.

"It's bully winning a St Leger pinch a fewer group present arsenic good - it was a spot quiet past time," Marquand told ITV Sport aft helping clinch a ninth victor successful full for O'Brien successful nan 5th and last Classic of nan Flat season.

Scandinavia's latest St Leger triumph for O'Brien follows Jan Brueghel past twelvemonth and Continuous successful 2023.

Lambourn had been heavy backed successful nan run-up to nan world's oldest Classic arsenic nan first Derby victor to return portion successful nan St Leger since Camelot successful 2012.

The 11-4 2nd favourite had followed up nan Derby triumph by clinching nan Irish Derby, but it was Scandanavia who lived up to nan billing aft back-to-back wins astatine nan Bahrain Trophy and Goodwood successful his past 2 starts.

"He has sewage nan astir beautiful temperament," added Marquand.

"He is conscionable truthful straightforward and was truthful reliable there. The [soft] crushed was difficult activity but he fended them each off.

"He's an extra-special equine and 1 I americium privileged to beryllium connected today."