Continuous wins St Leger from Frankie Dettori's final ride and royal hope

16 September 2023 , 17:40

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the parade ring at Doncaster Racecourse (Image: PA)

Continuous and Ryan Moore spoiled Frankie Dettori's St Leger retirement party on a royal occasion at Doncaster.

The 3-1 chance charged clear of the Italian jockey's final Classic ride Arrest for an impressive victory on Town Moor. Much of the build-up focused on Dettori's 11-4 favourite and Desert Hero, the big race hope owned by King Charles and Camilla. But the 46-year wait for a first royal winner in one of Flat racing's five elite races, which dates back to Dunfermline in the 1977 event, goes on.

The couple, given a warm reception by the 22,000-strong crowd, watched Desert Hero (6-1) take an honourable third place – a career-best according to trainer William Haggas.

Continuous, out on his own by two-and-three-quarter lengths as the line loomed, presented Aidan O'Brien with a seventh title in the Betfred-backed contest.

"I can't tell you the privilege it is for the position we are in with all the people and horses," said the Ballydoyle trainer, on the podium's top spot with Dettori after the 2005 heroics of Scorpion. He has a lot of class this horse, he does stay and he handles soft ground. The Arc is a possibility."

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Continuous, 12-1 with William Hill for Longchamp's highlight on October 1, never looked in any real danger of being swamped by the pack. Off a pace set by stablemate Denmark, he quickened to the front for Moore with two furlongs to race. "He won it with a turn of foot and then he had the courage to keep going – a special horse," the jockey said.

Dettori told the King and Queen he has just over a month to go before he bows out from British racing – Ascot's Champions Day card on October 21 the final stop on his memorable farewell tour.

Frankie Dettori waves to his fans returning on St Leger runner-up Arrest (PA)

He felt a seventh St Leger prize was in reach until Moore poached the unassailable advantage. "When I passed Gregory, I thought 'I can win this' and then on my next glance I saw Ryan and went 'No I'm not going to!" Dettori said. "It has been a good year, it wasn't to be. I came close and I loved it."

King Charles and Camilla were given a debrief from jockey Tom Marquand after he dismounted Desert Hero, one of around 100 thoroughbreds they inherited from the Queen.

"It was probably a lifetime best," said trainer Haggas, assessing the run. "He stayed on well, Tom felt he probably did a little bit too much early. It has been a great journey."

Melissa Jones