Godolphin’s Hurricane Lane cast a mighty shadow over the rest of the field in 2021, with the son of the mighty Frankel bringing much the best form to the table. Following up a third-place finish in the Epsom Derby with wins in the Irish Derby and Grand Prix de Paris, he was the clear class act in the field and widely expected to win…. if he handled this step up in trip.
However, this wasn’t quite a one-horse race on paper. Richard Hannon’s Mojo Star had finished a place ahead of Hurricane Lane at Epsom and looked the type who may be suited by the additional distance of this race. Aidan O’Brien meanwhile brought strength in numbers, with his quartet of entries headed up by the Galileo colt Interpretation who had been progressing nicely through the ranks in Ireland.
Result
- 1st – Hurricane Lane 8/11F, Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: Charlie Appleby
- 2nd – Mojo Star 8/1, Jockey: Rossa Ryan, Trainer: Richard Hannon
- 3rd – The Mediterranean 28/1, Jockey: Wayne Lordan, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £421,355.30
- 2nd – £159,745
- 3rd – £79,946.80
- 4th – £39,824.80
- 5th – £19,986.70
- 6th – £10,030.50
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £1.50
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.10, 2nd – £2.30, 3rd – £5.50
- Exacta – £7.40
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £6.38
- Trifecta – £82.10
- Tricast – £89.45
Recap
There was plenty of pace on in the early stages, with Interpretation winning the battle for the early lead from Mojo Star, with both Hollie Doyle and Rossa Ryan seemingly keen to ensure a good gallop.
Hot favourite Hurricane Lane settled for a midfield position and continued to track the pace well into the home straight. Mojo Star was the first to kick for home and opened up a slight lead as they hit the two-furlong pole. Hurricane Lane was however moving ominously well to the outside of the leader, and as soon as William Buick asked the question it soon became clear that there would be only one result.
Showing both class and an abundance of stamina, Hurricane Lane surged clear inside the final furlong to hit the line almost three lengths clear of the gallant Richard Hannon runner in second. The Mediterranean didn’t possess the turn of foot of the first two home but stuck on nicely into third.
For jockey William Buick this was a third St Leger success following back-to-back wins with Arctic Cosmos and Masked Marvel in 2010 and 2011, whilst for Charlie Appleby, this was a first win in Britain’s oldest Classic.
Runners
- 1. Fernando Vichi – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Donnacha O’Brien, Jockey: Oisin Murphy
- 2. High Definition – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Frankie Dettori
- 3. Hurricane Lane – SP: 8/11F, Trainer: Charlie Appleby, Jockey: William Buick
- 4. Interpretation – SP: 8/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Hollie Doyle
- 5. Mojo Star – SP: 8/1, Trainer: Richard Hannon, Jockey: Rossa Ryan
- 6. Ottoman Empire – SP: 11/1, Trainer: Johnny Murtagh, Jockey: Ben Coen
- 7. Scope – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Ralph Beckett, Jockey: Rob Hornby
- 8. Sir Lucan – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: James Doyle
- 9. The Mediterranean – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Wayne Lordan
- 10. Youth Spirit – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Tom Marquand
Non Runners
All Ran