O'Brien passes 5 million pound barrier Aidan O'Brien smashed through the £5million prize-money barrier and strengthened his hold on the Ladbrokes St Leger in the process when Idaho won the Betway Great Voltigeur Stakes at York. O'Brien has enjoyed more success than even he is accustomed to this season in Britain, with Minding, The Gurkha, Alice Springs, Highland Reel and Order Of St George all winning Group One prizes away from home. Idaho is no stranger to these shores, having finished third in the Derby to Harzand, after which he got even closer to Dermot Weld's star in the Irish equivalent. This, though, was his first win since his racecourse debut last October. It briefly looked as if Jamie Spencer had stolen a march on stablemate Housesofparliament, but when Seamie Heffernan moved on to the heels of the leaders a furlong out the result was never really in doubt, with the 5-6 favourite winning by a length and three-quarters. Across The Stars, winner of the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, was third for Sir Michael Stoute. Idaho is now 6-4 favourite with the sponsors for the Doncaster Classic. "He had a nice break after the Irish Derby and he was ready for a comeback run," said O'Brien. "Seamus had one eye on the Leger and we just wanted to get him relaxed. "Jamie went a nice, sensible pace in front and his horse ran a blinder. "Seamus gave his horse a lovely ride and came through at the end. "Idaho might go up to a mile and six (furlongs), but I'm not sure he'll go much further than that. "I'd be very happy for him to come back to a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half as a four-year-old. "We had our eye on the Leger and this race came at a lovely time. "Obviously Housesofparliament stays very well and he would be happy in the Leger. "It seems the logical race for both of them." Bruce Raymond, racing manager for Across The Stars' owner Saeed Suhail, ruled out a crack at the St Leger. He said: "I am a little bit (disappointed) - I thought he was going to be in the first two. "Frankie (Dettori) felt they didn't go fast enough for our horse. He was settled enough, but he wasn't lobbing. "I don't think he'll be going any further than this for the moment. "Frankie feels this is his trip and I think Michael agrees."
