Big Break and Leigh Roche defeat Brendan Brackan and Gary Carroll© Photo Healy Racing
For twenty two year old Tuam native Leigh Roche Prix de l'Arc day 2014 will live long in the memory and with Dermot Weld's stable jockey Pat Smullen in Paris it afforded him the opportunity to ride his biggest winner to date, on Big Break in the Group 3 Coolmore Stud Home Of Champions Concorde Stakes at Tipperary.
The attractive Dansili filly was never far away under Roche and she hit the lead under two furlongs out from fellow 3/1 chance Brendan Brackan
That fellow never gave up though and he was just half a length down at the line.
Last year's winner of this event, Sruthan headed the betting at 2/1 but he ended up a length and a quarter off them in third.
Kris Weld did the honours for Rosewell House and he commented: "That's most satisfactory and it's great for Leigh.
"She hasn't been the most straight-forward to train but she loved the 'cut.' The weather has been no help to her this year.
"On her day she is very classy and she showed that today. Dad will speak to Lord Grimthorpe (the Abdullah racing manager) and she'll likely go for the Knockaire Stakes at Leopardstown now.
"It hasn't been decided but it's unlikely she'll come back next year. She's from a family that has been very good to us with Famous Name." (TW & EM)
