Racing: A double to remember for Irishman

LONDON - Scorpion, the 10-11 favourite, ridden by Frankie Dettori for Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien, made all the running yesterday to win the Doncaster St Leger, the final classic of the English horse racing season.

Thirty minutes later O'Brien completed a big race double when Oratorio (7-1) edged out Epsom Derby winner Motivator (3-1) to win the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

Scorpion came home a length clear of The Geezer, the 7-2 second favourite ridden by Richard Quinn, despite suddenly shying away from the rail less than 200m from home.

Third place in the field of only six went to 11-1 chance Tawqeet, the mount of Richard Hills.

The classic, the oldest in turf history dating back to 1776, was raced on heavy going which prompted the withdrawal earlier in the day of Scorpion's stablemate Avalon.

It was a third success in the Leger for both O'Brien and Dettori, the jockey making the right choice by staying in England.

Earlier in the week, the Italian was set to ride Motivator in Ireland but doubts had arisen about whether the colt would race on ground that might prove unsuitable.

In the event, Motivator raced with distinction only to lose out by half a length to the Kieren Fallon-ridden Oratorio, who had also beaten Motivator in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park in July.

Oratario may be aimed at one of the races at the Breeders' Cup series at Belmont on October 29. Motivator is more likely to go for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris on October 2.

- REUTERS