IT might have turned into a memorable day on both sides of the Irish Sea for Coolmore/Ballydoyle but there were one or two disappointments, most notably Idaho’s slip in the Group 1 Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster which let in Harbour Law for an unlikely triumph at 22/1.

There is no way of telling what might have happened, although the 4/6 favourite, placed in both the British and Irish Derbys, was travelling very comfortably for Seamie Heffernan when stumbling and unseating the jockey inside the half-mile marker.

At that stage his stable-companion Housesofparliament was also going well and Colm O’Donoghue struck for home with two furlongs to go. Ventura Storm came to challenge him and was in front a furlong later, only for Harbour Law, given plenty of time by George Baker, to loom alongside and go on to prevail by three-quarters of a length. Housesofparliament was only inches behind in third but everything else was well beaten.

EPSOM STABLE

This was a major success for Laura Mongan’s small Epsom stable, while the greatly underrated Baker, at the age of 34, was also claiming a first Group 1. While there is little doubt that Idaho would have been very closely involved in the finish - he had beaten Housesofparliament tidily enough at York - the race demonstrated that the minnows can still land a blow in top-class flat races now and again.

Mongan and her husband Ian, a journeyman jockey until his retirement several years ago, have looked after a yard of around 20 horses for a decade or so. This was a welcome boost which took just about everyone by surprise.

Harbour Law, bought as an unraced two-year-old for just £30,000, had finished fourth to Housesofparliament in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket but was guaranteed to stay this longer trip, having finished runner-up to Sword Fighter (fifth here) in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot.

Since his debut for Jo Crowley, Baker had ridden him in all starts for Mongan and owners Jackie and Nick Cornwell.

“He’s a classy horse but it’s a bit of a shock still,’’ the trainer said. “I’ve done a lot of screaming but it was brilliant. I was scared the whole way through because it’s not particularly how we wanted the horse ridden, but George knows him and did the right thing in holding him up, so all credit to him.’’

Baker is an astute tactician and rode a fine race from in front on Roger Charlton’s Quest For More, caught right on the line in the Doncaster Cup 24 hours earlier. He went off to play golf and clear his head before this even more important assignment.

“When the unfortunate incident with Idaho happened I was trying to be confident and do things in a nice rhythm and it worked out great,’’ he said with a smile. “I couldn’t be happier for Laura and Ian because they work very hard.

Laura had to watch first lot this morning and then come up here.’’

This was the first time a woman trainer had triumphed in the oldest classic in its 240-year history. It would also have been a first classic for Middleham Park Racing had Ventura Storm managed to hold on. Tom Palin, son of founder Tim, said it was still the best moment in Middleham Park history. It also showed that there are more horses staying middle-distances and beyond since Richard Hannon junior took over the running of the stable.

HEFFERNAN’S FALL

Idaho galloped loose for a while but was unhurt, while Heffernan, his face bloodied, was taken to Sheffield Hospital as a precautionary measure. It seemed to be the sudden switch right as they turned for home which sent him over the horse’s shoulder.

Coolmore’s British representative Kevin Buckley reported that he was chatting away to doctors and ambulance crew and, disappointing afternoon though it may have been, things might have been a good deal more serious