DONCASTER WEDNESDAY

THE Clipper Logistics Leger Legends race has become a very popular event on Town Moor since its inception six years ago.

The two beneficiaries of the charity race are the Jack Berry House in Malton, the Injured Jockeys Fund Rehabilitation & Fitness Centre, and the Northern Racing College.

These days it attracts top-class riders whose exploits in the saddle are still fresh in the memory.

Thus Richard Hughes was aboard well-backed 9/4 favourite Bluff Crag but it was Joseph O’Brien, teaming up with George Scott’s Phosphorescence, who made all the running over the straight mile to score at 7/1.

The SP paid O’Brien a handsome compliment because the six-year-old had not been seen on a racecourse for well over a year and was sporting blinkers for the first time.

However, he was soon bowling along happily in the lead and had enough in reserve to hold Janaab and Peter Buchanan by just over a length with sprightly 69-year-old George Duffield taking third on his wife Ann’s Red Charmer. Hughes finished fourth on the favourite, no doubt to bookmakers’ relief after A.P. McCoy’s success last year.

Sir Anthony, together with Lester Piggott and tireless fundraiser Jack Berry, was on hand to welcome back the winner.

“George said that if the horse runs like he works then he has a good chance,” O’Brien said with a smile. “He was right. He just told me to keep it simple and there’s no simpler way to win than from the front. It was a great buzz, great craic before and during the race and it was all in a good cause. It’s good to finish on a high note.”

The last part effectively answered those who wondered whether the young man might be tempted to make a comeback.

There is absolutely no chance of that, especially now that he has turned his hand to training, though the fact is that a long, unrelenting battle with the scales has left its mark and 11st 2lb this week must have seemed like paradise.

O’Brien’s record staggered some of those unaware of the statistics. In a remarkably short time he won nine British and Irish classics including the St Leger three years ago on Leading Light. The year before, he suffered perhaps his greatest disappointment when Camelot could not quite complete the Triple Crown. He was twice champion jockey in Ireland.

Wednesday’s success came almost five years to the day since his first big winner in Britain, Reply in the juvenile sales race at this meeting. He was strong enough on Phosphorescence when he needed to be and the stewards saw fit to fine him £500. They had the decency to donate the money to charity.

Jack Berry commented: “Everything has been fabulous today - things could not have gone better. This event does the first day of the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival good and it is heartening to see how many people have come to see the riders and Lester (Piggott).

“A P McCoy would not ride in the race this year but at least we dragged him out of retirement last year when he partnered the winner and he has supported the event again today.