Melbourne-bound Al Riffa wins St Leger for O'Brien Al Riffa (3/1) won the Comer Group International Irish St. Leger for new Australian owners today on a big day for successful jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, with trainer Joseph O’Brien now eyeing November’s Melbourne Cup. Held up in rear, the five-year-old entire travelled well through most of today’s 1m6f classic and having led a furlong out, stayed well to defeat Amiloc by four lengths. Browne McMonagle, whose first top-level success came on Al Riffa in today’s corresponding National Stakes of 2022, was landing his first classic and moved his eight clear (76-68) of Colin Keane at the top of this season’s jockeys’ championship. Following Al Riff’s success, in the colours of 2014 Melbourne Cup-winner Protectionist, bookmakers cut him to 6/1 favourite for the Melbourne race, a race trainer has already won twice. O’Brien stated “we knew the horses that were guaranteed stayers were going to try and expose the stamina of those that weren’t, and the pace was really strong. Dylan was cool and confident. “He’s been a great horse for us and he always turns up and runs his race. I’m delighted for the ownership group, Jamie (Lovett) and all his team.” He added “it was a gruelling race, but we’ll freshen him up and hopefully get him to the Melbourne Cup. He’s two for two now since he’s gone up in trip. He has the right attributes. He settles well, he has a turn of foot, and he stays. Hopefully we have a smooth preparation.” Lovett, representing Australian Bloodstock Two, added “he was perfectly prepared by Joseph and his team, and we’re delighted to be a part of it. He wasn’t a hard horse to identify when he went out to 2800 metres last time. That convinced us that he might be the horse to try and win the Melbourne Cup. “He’ll need to carry weight because they won’t miss him, but I feel sure he’s the right horse to do that. Joseph knows how to win the race, and we have four Melbourne Cup’s between us.” Browne McMonagle added “he is a super horse and none deserves it more as he has been hitting the crossbar racing against some superstars in Group 1s. He deserved to get his classic, is an improving horse and will only get better with age. Stepping up to 1m6f was always going to be a big help and conditions were perfect. “All roads lead to the Melbourne Cup now and the whole team and his new connections will be very excited with that. “I’m very very lucky to be in this position and to be getting on these horses. A big thanks to Joseph, all the connections and everyone who works hard in the yard. My family are here today so they’ll be happy too. I had been hitting the crossbar plenty in big races this weekend so I’m delighted to get the big one.” Quotes from Alan Magee
