Royal Diamond (left) & Voleuse De Coeurs battle out the finish, with Ernest Hemmingway back in third© Photo Healy Racing
Royal Diamond (7/2) gained revenge on Ernest Hemmingway for two recent defeats, as last year’s Irish St Leger winner took the Group 3 Gain Irish St Leger Trial Stakes for rider, trainer Johnny Murtagh.
Ernest Hemmingway, trained by Aidan O’Brien, beat Royal Diamond into second in the Curragh Cup here in June, and he did the same at Leopardstown in the Ballyroan Stakes earlier this month.
He was sent off the 4/9 favourite (opened 8/13 on-course) to make it a hat-trick of wins this afternoon, however he came under pressure two furlongs out, and he couldn’t peg back the front duo, eventually finishing five and a half-lengths behind the runner-up.
Royal Diamond made all the running, and when joined by the Dermot Weld trained, Pat Smullen ridden, Voluese De Coeurs (7/2 to 9/2 on-course) over a furlong from home, he battled gamely, getting on top inside the final furlong to score by half a length.
Johnny Murtagh said afterwards: "That was great!
"We had a big decision to make, whether to go to York or come here. I felt this was the right race for him and as it was just up the road.
"He has really come on since the last day. He is a specialist over a mile and six, all his wins have come at the trip.
"When Pat came to me he stuck his neck out well and grounded it out.
"He comes good at this time of the year and hopefully in three weeks’ time he’ll come back here and defend his title.
"He is a wonderful horse for us to have."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
