Roe wins St Leger at the Curragh

Vinnie Roe made history by becoming the first horse to win the Irish Field St Leger for a third time at the Curragh today.

The five-year-old, trained by Dermot Weld and ridden by Pat Smullen, headed the pacemaking Gamut over a furlong out and galloped on strongly.

Sir Michael Stoute’s raider kept on gamely to pip Powerscourt for second. Bollin Eric was a close fourth.

Kieren Fallon dictated affairs by sending Gamut to the front from the start, but Powerscourt and Vinnie Roe were always hot on his heels, while Kevin Darley had them all in his sights settled in fifth of the six runners.

Vinnie Roe, the 2-1 second favourite, ranged alongside Gamuttwo furlongs out and had to be ridden out to hold the gallant runner-up by a length.

The three-year-old Powerscourt stayed on well but could not quite get to the first two.

Bollin Eric, the 15-8 favourite and winner of last year’s St Leger at Doncaster, could only stay on at one pace but was not beaten far in fourth.