Arctic Owl plundered the Jefferson Smurfit Irish St Leger at the Curragh today to give Newmarket trainer James Fanshawe his first Classic win.
Patiently ridden by David Harrison, Arctic Owl quickened to lead under two furlongs out and forced front-running Mark Johnston`s Yavana`s Pace to settle for the runner-up`s slot for the second year in a row.
Mutafaweq took third to complete a clean sweep of the places for British-based horses.
Fanshawe said: 'It`s a great thrill to have my first winner in Ireland, and even more so to win a Classic with a horse which we picked up originally for only 10,000 guineas at Newmarket.'
Harrison has found the Curragh a lucky place in the past, having won the course`s valuable Tattersalls Breeders Stakes for the second time recently on Richard Hannon`s Blue Goddess.
Arctic Owl is owned by five men from North Devon known as 'The Owl Society'.
They are keen on a trip to Australia for the Melbourne Cup but Fanshawe is not inclined to agree just yet.
'It is a long way to go and a hell of a risk,' the trainer stressed. 'But it is a hugely valuable race and I think a horse like Arctic Owl would go well in it. Let`s not make any decisions just yet on that one.'
Frankie Dettori felt that the Mutafaweq, beaten seven and a half lengths into third, was unsuited by the ground conditions.
'He needs very good ground and he didn`t get it,' said Dettori.
Johnston`s wife Deirdre was full of praise for the courage shown by the second.
'Yavana`s Pace tried his heart out for us,' she said. 'What a pity he had to be second again because he deserves to win a real good race like this.
'We will see where we go with him next although I`m sure he will have a choice of engagements and will get softer ground than he had here today.'
Dettori also had to be content with third place on Godolphin`s Maidaan in the Group Three Aon Macdonagh Boland Stakes, won by Dermot Weld`s Social Harmony.
