Swan takes Legends' Race

Charlie Swan was crowned king of the legends after making all the running on Miami Gator to win the Fudge And Smudge Leger Legends Classified Stakes at Doncaster.

The likes of Pat Eddery, John Francome, John Reid, Steve Smith-Eccles, Tony Dobbin and Kevin Darley were all involved with the biggest legend of the all, Lester Piggott, presenting the prizes.

Swan retired seven years ago after a highly successful career as a National Hunt jockey. Charlie was crowned champion Jockey here on no less than nine occasions.

Famously known for his partnership with triple-champion hurdler Istabraq, he also won the 1995 Queen Mother Champion Chase on Viking Flagship.

Still only 42, he has only had one ride in a similar event at Kempton since hanging up his saddle but he is now a successful trainer and rides out every morning.

Miami Gator (9-2), trained by Elaine Burke, has been in great heart of late and was bounced out of the stalls by Swan to take an early lead and never saw another rival, beating Legal Legacy and Dale Gibson by a length and three-quarters.

Birthday boy Graham Bradley, who was celebrating his 50th, finished third on Aflaam with Ernie Johnson, who won the 1969 Derby on Blakeney, fourth on Cape Kimberley.

"He was the form horse in the race so I suppose he was entitled to win," said Swan.

"It's for a really good cause and plenty of money has been raised, (organiser) Jack (Berry) does a great job.

"I'm pretty fit but race riding is obviously different. I'm glad it was only one mile and not two!

"I was a bit worried when I saw Brad out of the corner of my eye but he kept going.

"It's great Lester is here. I remember beating him by a neck about 20 years ago. He is a proper legend."

Karl Burke, husband of the winning trainer, added: "I've known Charlie for a few years and I just told him to bounce him out and let the others catch him.

"I thought a few of the other jocks might be blowing a bit hard at halfway."

Bradley's inclusion in the event had caused controversy in some quarters but there is still no doubting his popularity.

On his return to the unsaddling enclosure, Bradley shouted to his native Yorkshire crowd: "At least I kept you in the placepot!"

He added: "He gave me a lovely ride and was quickly away but while Charlie quickened, I just stayed on - softer ground might have helped."

Steve Smith-Eccles, remembered for riding See You Then to three Champion Hurdle wins, was unplaced on Kinsya (12th) and exclaimed: "They went a bit too quick for my liking."

John Reid, a former Derby and St Leger winning jockey, was 10th on Nevada Desert and said: "I really enjoyed that. We went a good pace throughout and I settled in behind. He only ran last week though and he ran out of gas."

Pat Eddery, who is second only to Gordon Richards in the list of all-time winners on the Flat, was way down in 14th on Master Of Dance.

Now a trainer, the 11-time champion said: "I loved that, it was great fun. I keep fit riding out at home but riding in a race is completely different."

Francome, now a popular pundit on Channel 4 Racing, said of his seventh-placed finish on Archie Rice: "It was good fun and a good result with Charlie winning.

"All of the boys enjoyed themselves and they will have earned a lot of money for the Injured Jockeys Fund which is the main thing."

Dobbin finished sixth on Grand Diamond and said: "I had a great run. He was not quite quick enough but it was a great craic."

St Leger winner George Duffield, ninth on Dark Moment, said: "I just didn't have quite enough cover. They split up all over the place and my horse needs cover. It was very enjoyable."

Alex Greaves, eighth on Daring Dream, said: "It was just a bit of fun - I won't be making a comeback but never mind!"

Fellow female rider Gay Kelleway added of her 15th place on Eastern Gift: "It was a great race and we had a right laugh down at the start. My horse didn't go on the ground but it was great fun."