Jan Brueghel denies stablemate Illinois in thrilling St Leger battle for O’Brien

Jan Brueghel, the 11-4 joint-favourite, got up in the final strides after a prolonged struggle with his stable companion, Illinois, to give Aidan O’Brien an eighth success in the St Leger on Saturday, and jockey Sean Levey his second win in a British Classic.

Both the winner and runner-up were from the final full crop of foals sired by the outstanding stallion Galileo, who died in 2021, and Jan Brueghel, who remains unbeaten after four starts, could well go into the history books as the great sire’s 21st and final British Classic winner.

“We knew the track and trip would suit him,” Levey said afterwards, “and I think he showed that he’s exceptional going that extra distance. He feels like a [Ascot] Gold Cup horse in the making and I wouldn’t be surprised if he stepped up a bit more next year.”

At Leopardstown, William Haggas’s Economics, the 7-4 favourite, found a brave second effort to edge past his main market rival, Auguste Rodin, and claim a first success in Group One company in the Irish Champion Stakes.

Economics appeared to be headed by Auguste Rodin as Ryan Moore brought the 9-4 chance with a strong run on the outside, but then found more for Tom Marquand to open up a narrow but ultimately decisive lead. He was a neck in front at the line, with the Japanese challenger Shin Emperor another three-quarters of a length away in third.