Aidan O'Brien's dominance in European racing reached new heights as Scandinavia provided his 16th Group One winner of the season in the St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday. The Ballydoyle-trained colt, ridden by Tom Marquand, held off the challenge of Rahiebb and stablemate Stay True to win Britain's oldest Classic by a neck.
Marquand, stepping in for the injured Ryan Moore, produced a perfectly timed ride as Lambourn set a strong gallant before fading into fourth. Scandinavia, winner of the Goodwood Cup over two miles, showed his stamina and tenacity to fend off rivals up the straight. "He's got the most beautiful temperament and he was tough today," Marquand said. "It's a long way up the straight on that ground when you've been trying to fend off good horses."
Marquand had ridden Scandinavia as a two-year-old, which influenced O'Brien's decision to call him up. The jockey admitted he never imagined winning the Leger on the horse, but praised his progress into a staying type. Later on Saturday, Delacroix gave O'Brien a 17th Group One victory in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, showing a devastating turn of foot under Christophe Soumillon.
Delacroix's performance prompted O'Brien to describe him as "some horse to quicken". The colt, an outcross from Galileo and Sadler's Wells bloodlines, is a valuable stallion prospect for Coolmore. O'Brien hinted that Delacroix may not race again, saying "he has all the options really".
