Milan shows Classic elan to lift St Leger

Aidan O'Brien's muted reaction to Milan's stunning victory in the 225th St Leger here yesterday spoke volumes. The young Irish training genius had just recorded an unprecedented seventh Classic win in a season and tied up the British trainers' championship but, even given that he is sparing with public outbursts of emotion, he seemed vaguely unfocused in the aftermath.

The reasons were not hard to fathom. The race was set against the backdrop of still-vivid memories of the unspeakable horror in New York on Tuesday. And, closer to home, as Milan swept imperiously past the post, his stablemate Mediterranean stood stricken by injury on the course half a mile from home. O'Brien said: "Given the bigger picture, it does feel slightly inappropriate to be concerned with the result of a horse race, but that is what we do and we must get on with it."

The St Leger, which is the poor relation among European Group One races in the modern era because of its emphasis on stamina, has nonetheless produced some stirring spectacles in recent years and the throng that packed Town Moor was not disappointed. The long, demanding straight that completes the extended mile and three-quarter trip is no place for the faint-hearted and, as Demophilos turned his brave head into the headwind sweeping down from the winning post and maintained his gallop, it seemed, with Milan going easily but trapped among horses, that sheer determination might have its day.

The illusion was shattered inside the final quarter mile. Michael Kinane extricated the 13-8 favourite from his pocket and, once set alight, the bay Sadler's Wells colt produced a turn of foot rarely seen in a modern St Leger finish. He went past Demophilos a furlong out and streaked five lengths clear to take the £220,000 first prize and give trainer, jockey and sire their first victory in the oldest of the Classics.

O'Brien confessed to momentary worry half way down the straight, saying: "I thought he'd have to jump horses to get out." But Kinane was more sanguine. "It was always our plan to sit in behind and wait, and let someone else do the work," he said, "it's a long straight to get down, particularly with that headwind.

"He was always travelling for me and, when I asked him to quicken, he did it like the class horse he is. We have, always thought a lot of him and he should already have been a Group 1 winner before today. He was unlucky in the French Derby, when he stumbled at the start and then they went no gallop."

Milan, running in Michael Tabor's colours, was the first Irish-trained winner since Boucher emerged in 1972 from the same Ballydoyle lair, then under the command of another O'Brien. The legendary Vincent was the last Irishman to take the British trainers' title, a feat he achieved in 1977, the year of The Minstrel and Alleged.

Demophilos stayed on stoutly to retain second place, holding Mr Combustible at bay by three lengths, with When In Rome fourth. In picking up prize-money of £85,000, the runner-up more than justified the decision to pay the £20,000 supplementary entry fee and gave his trainer Amanda Perrett her first Classic placing.

Happily for the reputation of the St Leger, the next target for Milan is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris three weeks today. He has been introduced into the forefront of the betting, with Coral most impressed at 5-1.

The last St Leger winner to produce a bold Arc showing was User Friendly, a close second in Paris to Subotica in 1992. "We didn't really dare say it beforehand, but the plan was always to come here and then go for the Arc," O'Brien said. "It's two furlongs shorter, but that should not be a problem and he will get the true gallop he needs."

Just as the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe has removed some of the St Leger's gloss, the Breeders' Cup series is now starting to overshadow the great Paris autumn showpiece. This year, the races are scheduled for Belmont Park in New York at the end of next month and, assuming the fixture takes place, are the destination for the two proven middle-distance stars in the European firmament, Ballydoyle's Galileo and Godolphin's Fantastic Light.

Three major Arc trials take place at Longchamp this afternoon, with the big-race favourite Hightori staking his claim in the Prix Foy.

Several understudies will be out to claim a place in the spotlight, notably, from a British perspective, Golan, winner of the 2,000 Guineas and runner-up in the Derby, who prepares for another crack at the big-time in the Prix Niel. The home defence is led by the first two in the Prix du Jockey-Club, Anabaa Blue and Chichicastenango.

No Prix Vermeille winner has followed up in the Arc since Three Troikas in 1979 and the focus today will be on Prix de Diane heroine Aquarelliste, bidding to maintain her unbeaten record and confirm her third place in the big-race betting.

Karsavina carries the Ballydoyle banner, but O'Brien's best chance today of Group 1 winner number 16 in his annus mirabilis is probably with two-year-old Hawk Wing, who takes on Godolphin's Naheef in the National Stakes at The Curragh.