Voleuse has Weld in seventh heaven

Voleuse De Coeurs gave trainer Dermot Weld a seventh Gain Irish St. Leger success when romping to an impressive six lengths win over Ahzeemah in the Curragh classic yesterday.

With Pat Smullen opting to ride the winner’s stable-companion Pale Mimosa, Chris Hayes seized his opportunity on Voleuse De Coeurs, owned by one of his retainers Lady O’Reilly, tasting Group 1 glory for only the second time, just eight days after La Collina’s shock win in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.

Winner of a Galway handicap off 79 last summer before landing the Irish Cesarewitch, Voleuse De Coeurs has come a long way in a year and delighted her trainer, who commented: “She’s a very smart mare, a joy to train and has run consistently all year. I knew she would improve from her last run here and, when Pat chose Pale Mimosa, believing she had more pace, I told Chris to be handy and positive on this filly.”