Continuous success for Moore and Ballydoyle in Betfred St Leger

Continuous powered clear to claim a dominant success the Betfred St Leger, denying a fairytale final winner for Frankie Dettori or a first Classic success for King Charles III.

The Great Voltiguer Stakes winner Continuous bagged his Group 1 victory under Ryan Moore, with Dettori finishing in second place aboard the John and Thady Gosden-trained Arrest.

There was never a moment’s worry for backers of the winner, who travelled strongly behind pacemaker Denmark before cruising into the lead with a quarter of a mile to run.

Arrest and Dettori made their challenge down the centre of the track but couldn’t match strides with the winner. Eventually they just held off the staying on Desert Hero and Tom Marquand for the runner-up slot.

Speaking to ITV immediately post-race Moore reflected, “He’s a very genuine horse… He’s getting better, he’s got a great will to win, travels and has a turn of foot. He’s got a lot of guts.”

The success was the first for O’Brien and Moore since Kew Gardens in 2018, with the jockey unable to ride in the Doncaster Classic since due to the meeting’s regular clash with Irish Champions Weekend.

Moore continued: “It’s a great crowd and it’s a shame the way the schedule has been – if they could keep them apart it would be huge as I haven’t been able to be here as often as I would like. It’s the last Classic of the year and it’s great to win it.”