A classy four year-old, who won the Group I English St Leger last year, Leading
Light scored a tenacious victory, fighting hard all the way to the line for
Joseph O'Brien to win the marathon staying test by a neck over last year's
winner Estimate, who runs for The Queen.It was a sixth success in the race for Aidan O'Brien, making him the most successful trainer in the race's history. "Your heart was in your mouth for that one," said O'Brien.
"He had a lovely position and stayed well but he was just very lazy when he got there. I think Joseph did very well.
"I am so lucky to have the horses I have and to be able to work with the people I am working with. I am in an unbelievably lucky position."
Bought for 520,000 guineas from the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale by Demi O'Byrne, Leading Light runs for a Coolmore partnership of Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier and Michael Tabor.
He has won seven of nine starts and is the best of seven winners from Group II
winning Gone West mare Dance Parade.Making it a winning double for the same connections was blue-blooded three year-old filly Bracelet, who scored a half-length win in the mile and a quarter Ribblesdale Stakes.
Winner of the Group III Irish One Thousand Guineas Trial, Bracelet was down the track in the Group I English One Thousand Guineas behind Miss France, but appreciated this longer trip to strike her best form.
A winner of three of five starts, Bracelet is a full sister to Group II winner Wading and is from Group III placed Green Desert mare Cherry Hinton, who is a sibling to Group I stars Sea the Stars, Galileo, My Typhoon and Black Sam Bellamy.
Montjeu died prematurely in 2012 and has left 112 stakes-winners including the English Derby hero Camelot, who shuttles to Australia this spring for Coolmore at a fee of $22,000.
