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Donal Murphy
St George a facile winner of the St Leger
Order Of St George comes home an easy winner under Joseph O'Brien
© Photo Healy Racing
Order Of St George ran out a facile winner of the Palmerstown House Estate Irish St Leger providing his trainer Aidan O'Brien with a Group 1 treble and his jockey Joseph O'Brien with a Group 1 double.
An impressive winner of the St Leger Trial over the course and distance on his last start the son of Galileo was available at 11/4 last night, opening on-course at just 6/4 before going off the clear 5/4 favourite.
Settled towards rear he made progress through the field with over four furlongs to race.
He came through to lead with two and a half furlongs to go and he stretched clear when ridden over a furlong out, going on to score by eleven lengths. Agent Murphy took second under Jimmy Fortune for Brian Meehan at 6/1 while Wicklow Brave was a neck back in third under Paul Townend for Willie Mullins at 20/1. Forgotten Rules who was sent off the 9/2 second favourite, finished fifth while last year's winner Brown Panther pulled up quickly with under seven furlongs to race.
It was later revealed that he suffered a fatal injury and was put down.
Aidan O'Brien, whose treble came in at just over 35/1, said afterwards: "He was very impressive here the last day.
"I didn't say anything to Joseph but they went hard up front and he put him asleep. He sneaked through lovely and is a very good stayer.
"He got the trip really well and travelled very strongly. When Joseph said go he quickened up very well.
"It's unusual for a horse that stays that well to have that kind of class. He's a very exciting horse.
"We may have a look at the two-mile race at Ascot (the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup next month) with him.
"He's a free sweater and if he didn't do that you'd be worried."
Joseph O'Brien, who was recording his first win in the Irish St Leger, added: "He is a very good horse. He travelled exceptionally well.
"I probably got to the front a furlong and a half too soon but I was going so well I didn't want to wait too much longer. In hindsight I probably should have but he has a huge engine.
"It just got a little bit on the bend but I was going easy and he handles a bit of juice in the ground."
Paddy Power go 5/1 (from 8's) about the winner for next year's Ascot Gold Cup.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson