Aidan O’Brien appeared to have a stranglehold on the final Classic of 2024. Three of the seven-runner field hailed from his Ballydoyle operation, and that trio occupied the first three positions in the betting. The market couldn’t split Queen’s Vase winner Illinois and the unbeaten Jan Brueghel, who started as joint-favourites, closely followed by the wide-margin Irish St Leger Trial winner, Grosvenor Square.
David Menusier’s Sunway came next on the back of his solid fourth in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Having scored in Group 1 company as a juvenile, he looked dangerous if handling this step up in trip. The Owen Burrows-trained Deira Mile ran a cracker when staying on for fourth in the Derby, whilst the only filly in the race, You Got To Me, arrived as a Classic winner following her Irish Oaks success – only added to the field at the eleventh hour, connections needed a top three finish to recoup the £50,000 supplementary entry.
Of the seven runners, only Andrew Balding’s Wild Waves looked up against it on his first outing outside handicap company. Nevertheless, he had few concerns in the stamina department, having scored over this course and distance in June.
Result
- 1st – Jan Brueghel 11/4J, Jockey: Sean Levey, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- 2nd – Illinois 11/4J, Jockey: Wayne Lordan, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- 3rd – Sunway 11/2, Jockey: Christophe Soumillon, Trainer: David Menusier
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 – £3.75
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.90, 2nd – £1.90
- Exacta – £10.40
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £9.64
- Trifecta – £49.90
Recap
There was no messing around from the O’Brien trio when the stalls opened, with Grosvenor Square, Jan Brueghel, and Illinois immediately creating a wave of three at the head of the field. As expected, the trailblazing Grosvenor Square grabbed the inside rail and set out to make the running. Illinois looked comfortable towards the outside, but Jan Brueghel raced keenly in the opening exchanges. Wild Waves and Sunway came next, followed by You Got To Me, with Deira Mile bringing up the rear.
The seven runners raced almost in Indian file as they moved into the back straight – Grosvenor Square continued to make the running a length ahead of Illinois, with Wild Waves moving up to take third. Jan Brueghel had settled into a rhythm in fourth, with Sunway, You Got To Me, and Deira Mile all content to wait.
The whole field travelled nicely turning for home, but the complexion began to change when Gavin Ryan and Grosvenor Square injected a little pace. The frontrunner couldn’t get away from the field as he had done at the Curragh last time out, with Illinois travelling notably well in second. Sean Levey was more animated in the saddle as Jan Brueghel slowly, but surely, responded to his urgings. You Got To Me was the first to crack as she stepped into unknown territory regarding the distance, but Sunway stayed on dourly, and Deira Mile looked to have plenty left in the tank as he switched to the outside from the rear.
Two furlongs from home, Grosvenor Square finally cried enough as Illinois and Jan Brueghel swept by to open up a three-length advantage over Sunway and Deira Mile in third and fourth. Cue a ding-dong battle between the joint-favourites as Wayne Lordan and Sean Levey asked for everything. Illinois led at the furlong poll but the relentless Jan Brueghel wouldn’t go away, ultimately getting on top in the final 100 yards to score by a neck and maintain his unbeaten record. Deira Mile crossed the line in third only to be demoted to fourth for interference, with the final place on the podium going to Sunway.
St Leger number eight for Aidan O’Brien, who continued his stellar record in the British Classics. A second career Classic for Sean Levey following his win in the 2018 1,000 Guineas. This was also a notable result for the much-missed stallion, Galileo, who sired the first and second.
Runners
- 1. Deira Mile – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Owen Burrows, Jockey: Jason Watson
- 2. Grosvenor Square – SP: 7/2, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Gavin Ryan
- 3. Illinois – SP: 11/4J, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Wayne Lordan
- 4. Jan Brueghel – SP: 11/4J, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Sean Levey
- 5. Sunway – SP: 11/2, Trainer: David Menusier, Jockey: Christophe Soumillon
- 6. Wild Waves – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Daniel Tudhope
- 7. You Got To Me – SP: 13/2, Trainer: Ralph Beckett, Jockey: Hector Crouch
Non-Runners
All Ran