The biggest shock of this weekend’s racing came when legendary jockey Frankie Dettori rode Wicklow Brave to victory in the Irish St Leger at Curragh, overcoming the overwhelming favourite Order of St George. Having been offered as the 11/1 outsider in the betting tips among bookmakers beforehand, Dettori’s decision to send his mount out from the front certainly paid dividends for Willie Mullins’ horse, with the Irish trainer more commonly associated with big jump racing wins rather than a flat racing Classic.
Aidan O’Brien’s Order of St George went into the race in fine form having won his last six races, however his incapability win at Curragh capped off what was a disappointing weekend for the Irishman. Having the day before seen favourite Idaho be unseated in the English St Leger at Doncaster, his disappointment was confounded having earlier in the day on Sunday been beaten into second by his son Joseph, in what was the 23-year-old’s fist Group One winner as a trainer. Intricately was seen at 25/1 in the horse racing tips from bookmakers Coral pre-race, and true to their word, the horse which was being ridden by Joseph’s brother Donnacha, claimed success in the Moyglare Stud Stakes, from Hydrangea in second place.
Both Order of St George and Wicklow Brave may not have to wait long to renew acquaintances, with the duo expected to both be a part of the field at November’s Melbourne Cup at Flemington. The two are currently offered equal odds of 16/1 at Coral, along with Stayer’s Cup at Glorious Goodwood winner this year, Big Orange. In what is likely to be a fiercely competitive race, the likes of Idaho, Protectionist and Housesofparliamant will be among the European contingent looking to claim victory in Australia.
As far as an American challenge is concerned, recent winner Da Big Hoss is currently offered horse racing odds of 25/1 at Coral. However, American horse is required to travel through Europe in order to reach Australia, due to them having to be quarantined in England beforehand. If owner Harvey Diamond can overcome such a logistical headache, then the four-year-old recent Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs winner could well be heavily backed among racing enthusiasts.