Wily Durcan steals show at Doncaster
Classic winner pounces late to win Legends race Lah Ti Dar to take her chance in St Leger
It seemed fitting that former St Leger winning jockey Ted Durcan should be victorious in yesterday’s Clipper Logistics Leger Legends Classified Stakes at Doncaster, which is now in its eighth year.
A field of 16 former jockeys went to post for the popular contest, which has become the traditional highlight on the opening afternoon of the four-day St Leger Festival.
During its existence the charity event has raised more than £1million for the Injured Jockeys Fund’s Jack Berry House, as well as the Northern Racing College.
Durcan, 45, retired from raceriding in February following a highly successful 25-year career. He rode a host of big winners, including the 2009 St Leger on Mastery for Godolphin and Saeed bin Suroor. He also won the 2007 Oaks on Sir Henry Cecil’s Light Shift.
Yesterday, with two furlongs to run it appeared that Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Andrew Thornton, who had raced into a clear lead on Detachment, was poised to record a notable victory. However, Durcan was using all his experience to ride a patient race and, when asked, Central City really found top gear in the final furlong and won by 1¼ lengths, with a bit in hand.
Durcan said: “You miss the weighing room and all the banter and the slanging [when you retire]. It’s a great afternoon here. They raise huge amounts of money with this race, so hats off to everyone, all the organisers and the sponsors.”
Impressive Molcomb Stakes winner Rumble Inthejungle will have new owners when he contests the Wainwrights Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster tomorrow. Cheveley Park Stud has bought the colt, who Richard Spencer has trained to win two of his three starts to date.
Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson confirmed the colt will remain in Spencer’s care and will continue to race in the colours of the Rebel Racing Premier syndicate.
Richardson said in a statement: “We are delighted to have acquired the very good looking and highly talented Group Three winner Rumble Inthejungle. We look forward to racing Rumble Inthejungle in partnership with Phil Cunningham’s Rebel Racing Premier syndicate, in whose colours he will continue to compete.”
Spencer said: “Rumble Inthejungle is without doubt a hugely exciting horse that possesses an abundance of natural speed. He also has a fantastic attitude, which will stand him in good stead for the future.”
John Gosden has confirmed that his improving filly Lah Ti Dar, an impressive winner at York last month, will run in Saturday’s William Hill St Leger.