TRIP FOR LIGHT FANTASTIC

Leading Light was the star of the show at Doncaster this afternoon as he banished the memory of Camelot twelve months earlier to land this year's Ladbrokes St Leger for Ballydoyle. The 7/2 favourite was always handy and picked up well off a slow pace when the tempo began to quicken three furlongs from home. He put daylight between himself and the field with a couple of furlongs to go and fought off the late challenge of runner-up Talent to record a length and a quarter success. John Magnier, whose wife Sue owns the three-year-old in partnership with Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor, hinted that the St Leger winner could be heading to Paris for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp at the beginning of October. "We thought he had a good chance in the race but you can't be confident about winning a Classic," said John Magnier. "However, we do hold him in high regard and even this morning, Aidan (O'Brien) was talking about possibly going to the Arc with him. He's not in the race at the moment so we'd have to supplement him. "The sole reason he ran in the Queen's Vase (at Royal Ascot) was that we had so many horses with a lot of options so we had to shuffle the pack. It just so happened that he ended up there but he's a classy horse. "The St Leger is one of the great races and, for me, my ultimate racing dream would be to win the Triple Crown. It was a shame that Camelot couldn't manage it last year as everyone wanted him to win. We got a great reception from the crowd both before and after the race and the rest is history."                     Fourth race: 3.50pm TheLadbrokes St Leger Winning Trainer & Jockey Quotes O'BRIEN PRAISES 'VERSATILE' LIGHT Trainer Aidan O'Brien was full of praise for the Ballydoyle team after 7/2 favourite Leading Light gave him his fourth Ladbrokes St Leger and first since Scorpion landed the Classic back in 2005. Unlike the rest of the field, the son of Montjeu was stepping back in trip following his victory in the two-mile Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot last time out and the trainer was quick to point out just how versatile the three-year-old is. "He was always a very solid horse. His form before Ascot was mile and a quarter form and the lads wanted to go to Ascot for that race. He has plenty of class as he stays and he quickens," said O'Brien "The lads have always thought a lot of him at home. He was always very versatile trip-wise and it was a big jump up to two miles at Ascot. He is a good horse as most of his form before the Queen's Vase was over a mile and a quarter. "I keep saying that it is a privilege to be involved with the team and we really appreciate having great horses to ride and train. It's a big team effort and we are a very small part of it. I'm also delighted for Derrick (Smith, joint-owner) as Camelot ran in his colours last year and it wasn't great. "Obviously, the lads will make the decisions but the Arc would be open to him if they wanted to do that. We will see and they will probably talk about it next week." Joseph O'Brien was riding his first Ladbrokes St Leger winner and revealed that he had to galvanise Leading Light early on in the race in order to get a good position. "He jumped a little slowly and I could see a couple of horses going forward. I knew that we weren't going to go much of a gallop when they were taken back so I gave mine a kick just to get up there, so I could get a good position. He's quite lazy in his races - he has the cheekpieces. "We got going plenty early and I thought that, if I didn't hit him until a furlong and a half out, I would win. He's tough." FOURTH RACE - LADBROKES ST LEGER RUNNER-UP QUOTES BECKETT PLEASED AS TALENT BOUNCES BACK                         Talent, the only filly in the Ladbrokes St Leger line-up, bounced back to something like her best with a fast-finishing second to Leading Light, beaten a length and quarter. The daughter of New Approach led home a one-two for her trainer Ralph Beckett in the Investec Oaks at Epsom Downs in June, but finished last of seven behind Chicquita in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh on July 20. Beckett said: "It's great to get her back after such a poor run in Ireland. "She got tight for room at a crucial stage and probably lost a bit of momentum but the winner has won well. We would have loved to have had a clearer run, but it was a great run. "I am thrilled to bits with her and I feel like I have won because her run in Ireland was so bad and I still don't really have a reason for it, except the ground. "We will look at the fillies and mares race on Champions Day, providing the ground is on the soft side." Fourth race - Group One Ladbrokes St Leger - third and fourth NO REGRETS RUNNING GALILEO ROCK Trainer David Wachman only decided at around 6am today to run Galileo Rock in the Ladbrokes St Leger and the consistent three-year-old Galileo colt was placed in a third successive Classic when third to Leading Light, beaten two lengths. Galileo Rock was third in the Investec Derby at Epsom Downs in early June and then came second in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. Wachman said: "He has run really well on ground he cannot really handle but it was probably the right decision to run. The winner ran very well so no excuses. "Obviously, we would have liked a sounder surface but I am very happy as he ran a good, honest race.  It is more than satisfactory and I am happy we came. "We might travel with him at the end of the year but we will see how he is and talk to the owners." Libertarian ran best of the three Godolphin runners, finishing fourth, half a length in arrears of Galileo Rock. He kept on without really threatening. Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, he finished two places ahead of Secret Number (Saeed bin Suroor/Silvestre de Sousa), while the final Godolphin challenger, Cap O'Rushes (Charlie Appleby/Mickael Barzalona), dropped out of contention in the final furlong and a half after leading and was eased down to finish 11th and last. Appleby said: "I was very pleased with Libertarian. William was delighted that he travelled very well throughout the race. He just said the conditions were a bit too easy for the horse. He is a better horse on good ground. We have something to take away and can work from here." Simon Crisford, the Godolphin racing manager, added: "We were very pleased with Libertarian. Secret Number may not have got the trip while Cap O'Rushes appeared to be outclassed." Fourth race, 3.50pm: The Ladbrokes St Leger Quotes JOCKEYS' THOUGHTS AFTER THE LADBROKES ST LEGER Jim Crowley, on board second Talent, said: "I got a bump about a furlong-and-a-half out. I don't know if it has cost me or not but she has run a great race William Lordan, jockey of third Galileo Rock, said: "I thought he travelled well and picked up well.  My horse ran a good race. He is third in a Ladbrokes St Leger and placed in two Derbys, you can't ask for anymore. I think he will improve over the winter and even go up in trip but he definitely wants good to firm ground." William Buick, rider of fourth Libertarian, said: "He ran a good race - I was happy with him. The ground was a bit tacky for him, he is better on better ground - it is quite hard work out there." Ryan Moore, rider of fifth Foundry, said: "It was a very steadily run race, my horse ran very well but just lacked experience, he couldn't hold his positional place.  He stayed on but would have enjoyed better ground." Kieren Fallon, on board ninth Great Hall, said: "He gave me a great ride but didn't really come out of the ground and in the last furlong he died on me." James Doyle, partner of 10th Excess Knowledge, said: "He just didn't like the ground, he did everything OK - travelled sweetly - but the minute I asked him to go and run his race he just rolled around. It is dead and tacky out there." Mickael Barzalona, on board 11th Cap O'Rushes, said: "He ran his race but he just isn't good enough." LEADING LIGHT (IRE) - THE WINNER Breeding: b c Montjeu (IRE) - Dance Parade (USA) (Gone West (USA) Breeder: Lynch-Bages Ltd Born: March 6, 2010 Owners: Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Trainer: Aidan O'Brien IRE Jockey: Joseph O'Brien Form: 41-1111 *Won the world's oldest Classic today in good style to give his trainer a fourth Ladbrokes St Leger. *Unbeaten in 2013. Stayed on strongly to land the two-mile Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot in June, beating Feel Like Dancing by a length and three quarters. *Followed up an impressive seven-length reappearance success at Navan with a front-running victory in the Group Three Gallinule Stakes over 10 furlongs at the Curragh on May 26. *Got off the mark at the second time of asking in a nine-furlong maiden at Tipperary in October, 2012. *Dam high-class performer for Paul Cole, annexing the 1996 Queen Mary Stakes and the following year's Fred Darling Stakes. Leading Light is a half-brother to 10-furlong Group Three winner Warwick Avenue. Race Record: Starts: 6; Wins: 5; 2nd: -; 3rd: -; Win & Place Prize Money: £433,011 Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Sue Magnier - Background: Born October, 1953, daughter of legendary trainer Vincent O'Brien (who saddled three St Leger winners). Husband John Magnier (born in County Cork on February 10, 1948) has changed the bloodstock world since teaming up with Robert Sangster and Vincent O'Brien to buy Coolmore in the 1970s. Purchased potential stallions as yearlings, early successes included Alleged, Be My Guest, El Gran Senor, Golden Fleece, Sadler's Wells and Storm Bird. Magnier subsequently bought out partners and now owns Coolmore, its American and Australian offshoots, and the Ballydoyle training centre. Worth £556 million says 2013 Sunday Times Rich List. Myriad of other business interests include stakes in Barchester nursing homes, pub group Mitchells & Butlers, property, Ladbrokes, the Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados and Global Radio. Formerly had stake in Manchester United. Homes in Ireland, Barbados and Switzerland. Racing interests: Sue Magnier has had a share in all of Aidan O'Brien's best horses. Those to have carried the Magnier dark blue silks include Ladbrokes St Leger winners Scorpion and Brian Boru plus Investec Derby winners Galileo, Pour Moi and Ruler Of The World. Other flagbearers include King Of Kings, Hawk Wing, Giant's Causeway, Imagine, George Washington, Duke Of Marmalade, Dylan Thomas, Henrythenavigator and Rip Van Winkle. Michael Tabor - Background: Born October 28, 1941, in East London. Trained as hairdresser and built up Arthur Prince bookmaking chain before selling to Coral in 1995. Married to Doreen and has homes in Barbados and Monaco. Son Ashley founded Global Radio, Europe's largest commercial radio group, with backing from his father. Michael Tabor's fortune grew through currency dealing and his many business interests include shares in Victor Chandler and Ladbrokes bookmakers. Valued at £550 million in 2013 Sunday Times Rich list. Racing interests: Joined forces with John Magnier after his Thunder Gulch won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes in 1995. Previously best known for owning jumpers such as Neville Callaghan-trained Royal Derbi. Best horses to carry his colours include Ladbrokes St Leger winner Milan, Montjeu, High Chaparral, Hurricane Run, Entrepreneur, Desert King, Johannesburg, Stravinsky, Starspangledbanner, Lillie Langtry, Peeping Fawn, Misty For Me and 2007 Belmont Stakes heroine Rags To Riches. Derrick Smith - Background: Former Ladbrokes trading director, now based in Barbados with wife Gay. Currency trading helped him to be worth £565 million in 2013 Sunday Times Rich List. Business interests include, with his racing partners, Barchester nursing homes, pub group Mitchells & Butlers and the Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados. Racing interests: In 2004, joined Coolmore as an investor and his purple silks with white seams, purple and white striped sleeves and purple cap have become a common sight atop such horses as today's Ladbrokes St Leger winner Leading Light, last year's Investec Derby winner Camelot and Investec Oaks heroine Was. Others to sport his silks include Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach, 2011 Breeders' Cup Turf and dual Investec Coronation Cup victor St Nicholas Abbey, Ascot Gold Cup winner Fame And Glory, Simply Perfect, Astronomer Royal, Mastercraftsman and the 2010 Irish Derby and Irish Champion Stakes winner Cape Blanco as well Australian import So You Think.Gay Smith has owned a number of jumpers including Holywell, a winner at this year's Cheltenham Festival. Previous Ladbrokes St Leger wins: 2013 LEADING LIGHT (Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor); 2005 SCORPION (Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor), 2003 BRIAN BORU (Sue Magnier), 2001 MILAN (Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier) Aidan O'Brien IRE (Ballydoyle, County Tipperary) Born: County Wexford on October 16, 1969. One of six children of Stella and Denis O'Brien. Background: Won Irish jump amateur riders' title in 1993/94. Worked for P J Finn, then spent three years with Jim Bolger before assisting now wife Annemarie and her father Joe Crowley. The O'Briens and Crowley have around 20 mares at Carriganog Stud in Co Kilkenny (breeding as Whisperview Trading) and have bred Rock Of Gibraltar, Kingsbarns, Beethoven, King Torus and Ishvana. The O'Briens' son Joseph rode last year's Investec Derby winner Camelot. Their other children are Sarah and Ana, who have ridden winners, and Donnacha. Training Record: One of Ireland's most successful all-time trainers since taking out licence at Piltown in County Kilkenny in 1993. First winner was Wandering Thoughts at Tralee on June 7, 1993. Took over from the unrelated Vincent O'Brien at John Magnier's Ballydoyle stables in County Tipperary in 1996. Accolades: Champion Irish jump trainer five times: 1993/94, 1994/95, 1995/96, 1996/7, 1997/98. Champion Irish Flat trainer 15 times: 1997 and from 1999 to 2012. Champion British Flat trainer four times: 2001, 2002, 2007 and 2008. Set a then world record of 23 Group/Grade One wins in 2001 (since passed). British Classic wins (20): Investec Derby (2001 Galileo, 2002 High Chaparral, 2012 Camelot, 2013 Ruler Of The World), Investec Oaks (1998 Shahtoush, 2001 Imagine, 2006 Alexandrova, 2012 Was), QIPCO 1000 Guineas (2005 Virginia Waters, 2012 Homecoming Queen), QIPCO 2000 Guineas (1998 King Of Kings, 2002 Rock Of Gibraltar, 2005 Footstepsinthesand, 2006 George Washington, 2008 Henrythenavigator, 2012 Camelot), Ladbrokes St Leger (2001 Milan, 2003, Brian Boru, 2005 Scorpion, 2013 Leading Light). His 29 Irish Classic winners include Irish Derby (1997 Desert King, 2001 Galileo, 2002 High Chaparral, 2006 Dylan Thomas, 2007 Soldier Of Fortune, 2008 Frozen Fire, 2009 Fame And Glory, 2010 Cape Blanco, 2011 Treasure Beach, 2012 Camelot). King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2001 Galileo, 2007 Dylan Thomas, 2008 Duke Of Marmalade), Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2007 Dylan Thomas), Breeders' Cup Juvenile (2001 Johannesburg), Breeders' Cup Turf (2002 and 2003 High Chaparral, 2011 St Nicholas Abbey), Breeders' Cup Marathon (2009 Man Of Iron), Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (2011 Wrote, 2012 George Vancouver). His 41 Royal Ascot winners include Yeats, who captured an unprecedented four Gold Cups (2006-09). Ladbrokes St Leger Record: 2013 -1 LEADING LIGHT; 2013-5 Foundry; 2012-2 Camelot; 2011-4 Seville; 2010-2 Midas Touch; 2010-5 Joshua Tree; 2009-6 Changingoftheguard; 2009-8 Von Jawlensky; 2008-4 Hindu Kush; 2008-6 Washington Irving; 2008-7 Frozen Fire; 2008-9 Bashkirov; 2008-10 Alessandro Volta; 2007-2 Mahler; 2007-3 Honolulu; 2007-6 Macarthur; 2007-8 Acapulco; 2006-5 Tusculum; 2006-7 Mountain; 2006-10 Fire And Rain; 2005-1 SCORPION; 2004-3 Tycoon; 2004-5 Mikado; 2004-7 Go For Gold; 2003-1 BRIAN BORU; 2002-8 Sholokhov; 2001-1 MILAN; 2001-8 Life Match; 2001-9 Saddler's Creek; 2001-PU Mediterranean; 2000-7 Rostropovich Joseph O'Brien Born: May 23, 1993. Background: Eldest of Aidan and Annemarie O'Brien's four children. Educated at Rockwell College near Cashel. Accomplished Pony Club rider, winning a bronze medal at the European Pony Championships in 2009. Had first ride on May 24, 2009, and first winner on May 28 on Johann Zoffany (now named Muir), trained by his father, at Leopardstown. First Pattern success came on Beethoven (bred by his parents) in Group Three Desmond Stakes in August, 2010. First Classic win came on Roderic O'Connor in 2011 Irish 2,000 Guineas. Accolades: Joint champion apprentice in Ireland in 2010, champion jockey in Ireland 2012. British Classic wins (3): Investec Derby (2012 Camelot), QIPCO 2000 Guineas (2012 Camelot); Ladbrokes St Leger (2013 Leading Light). Other major wins: Investec Coronation Cup (2012 St Nicholas Abbey, 2013 St Nicholas Abbey), Irish Derby (2012 Camelot), Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (2012 Excelebration), Breeders' Cup Turf (2011 St Nicholas Abbey), Prince Of Wales's Stakes (2012 So You Think), Irish 2,000 Guineas (2011 Roderic O'Connor, 2012 Power, 2013 Magician), Moyglare Stud Stakes (2011 Maybe), Tattersalls Gold Cup (2012 So You Think), Racing Post Trophy (2011 Camelot, 2012 Kingsbarns), Grand Prix de Paris (2012 Imperial Monarch), Dubai Sheema Classic (2013 St Nicholas Abbey), Queen Anne Stakes (2013 Declaration Of War), Juddmonte International (2013 Declaration Of War) Ladbrokes St Leger Record: 2013-1 LEADING LIGHT; 2012-2 Camelot; 2011-4 Seville FOURTH RACE RESULT 3.50pm Ladbrokes St Leger Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1) £600,000 total prize fund. For 3yo entire colts and fillies, 1m 6f 132yds. Weights: colts 9st; fillies 8st 11lb. Penalty value 1st £340,260.00 2nd £129,000.00 3rd £64,560.00 4th £32,160.00 5th £16,140.00 6th £8,100.00 1. LEADING LIGHT (IRE) (Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor) Aidan O'Brien IRE p3-9-00 Joseph O'Brien [7] 7/2F 2. TALENT (James Rowsell & Mark Dixon) Ralph Beckett 3-8-11 Jim Crowley [4] 9/1 3. GALILEO ROCK (IRE) (Michael O'Flynn) David Wachman IRE 3-9-00 Wayne Lordan [1] 6/1 4. LIBERTARIAN (Godolphin) Charlie Appleby p3-9-00 William Buick [2] 5/1 5. FOUNDRY (IRE) (Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith) Aidan O'Brien IRE 3-9-00 Ryan Moore [9] 5/1 6. SECRET NUMBER (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor 3-9-00 Silvestre de Sousa [5] 11/1 7. RALSTON ROAD (IRE) (Thistle Bloodstock Ltd) J P Shanahan IRE 3-9-0 Tadhg O'Shea [8] 100/1 8. HAVANA BEAT (IRE) (Mick and Janice Mariscotti) Andrew Balding 3-9-00 Liam Keniry [6] 40/1 9. GREAT HALL (Raymond Tooth) Brian Meehan 3-9-00 Kieren Fallon [3] 20/1 10. EXCESS KNOWLEDGE (Khalid Abdullah) John Gosden 3-9-00 James Doyle [11] 11/2 11. CAP O'RUSHES (Godolphin) Charlie Appleby 3-9-00 Mickael Barzalona [10] 20/1 11 ran Time: 3m 9.20s             Distances: 1¼, ¾, ½, ¾, ½, 2½, 5, 3¾, 7, 23 Breeder:Lynch-Bages Ltd Breeding: b c Montjeu (IRE) - Dance Parade (USA) Tote Win £3.50 Place £1.40 £2.90 £2.60 Exacta £37.20