Bargain buy strikes Leger riches

Less predictable was the horse in question, Arctic Cosmos. Unable to find someone to take this bargain buy off his hands, trainer John Gosden gave a half-share to his wife, Rachel Hood, as a Christmas present.

It was an inspired gift, given that the Doncaster Classic was worth 222,800 to the winner.

The only question is the horse's future. Hood's co-owner Robin Geffen has visions of winning Cheltenham's Champion Hurdle with Arctic Cosmos. They are not universally shared. "I don't think so. Far too good for that," smiled Buick.

The likely target, before pecuniary issues like the colt's stud value enter the equation, is an autumn crack at America's Breeders' Cup Turf – one of the world's most prestigious races.

Buick, for one, has no doubts that the slightly shorter trip of one-and-a-half miles will play to the Classic winner's strengths in America. He was travelling so effortlessly early on that he had to take a pull as Mark Johnston's Corsica set a relentless gallop, ostensibly to set up the race for Frankie Dettori's mount Rewilding.

Yet the warm favourite was one of the first to be beaten. The Italian subsequently said that the horse ran "flat". Perhaps his exertions in winning the Great Voltigeur at York three weeks ago had been more demanding than many assumed, and that the Godolphin-owned horse is best when fresh. Next year's Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe is a realistic long-term target.

Looking like the winner turning for home, Buick – coolness personified – waited patiently on the lightly-fancied 12-1 shot before unleashing his challenge two furlongs out.

It was decisive – with Ireland's Midas Touch only just beating 40-1 shot Corsica into second place, with dual Oaks winner Snow Fairy a creditable fourth.

"I always knew I was going to hold on – unless Nijinsky came from behind," said Buick who had also landed the prestigious Doncaster Cup on Friday. "He has shown his true class; at home we did fancy him and he has proved us right."

Gosden had nothing but praise for his jockey's tactical acumen, saying: "William thought he was going so well he took a pull. He knows it's a very long straight. I've seen jockeys go for it here, all guns blazing, a long way out and been gone at the furlong pole."

Gosden was sampling St Leger glory for a third time, but this one was extra special because of his wife's involvement.

"This horse was not some Galileo who cost a fortune. I got him for 47,000 guineas and I didn't have an owner," he explained.

"I always buy one on spec every year. Nobody wanted him so he ended up in Rachel's Christmas stocking. We always believed in this horse. We've kept our patience. The Breeders' Cup Turf is a strong possibility."

Even the aforementioned Geffen concurs – despite his jumping aspirations. "He's got lots to achieve on the Flat at first but I can see him powering up the Cheltenham hill," he said.

Though Rewilding's defeat saved the bookmakers a fortune – he was sixth – they faced a bumper payout when a Dettori-inspired Saamidd won the Champagne Stakes to the delight of a crowd that was three per cent up on last year. Saamidd is 8-1 favourite for next year's 2000 Guineas.

Another winning favourite was Poet's Place in the Portland Handicap, for Thirsk trainer David Barron and stylish Yorkshire jockey Philip Makin before the Buick and Gosden bandwagon became unstoppable.

MORE readily associated with National Hunt racing, Yorkshire tycoon Sir Robert Ogden won his first Classic when Sans Frontieres landed the Irish St Leger. He is now bound for the Melbourne Cup.

Henry Cecil's star filly Midday, winner of the Yorkshire Oaks, won the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp yesterday when her rival Sariska once again refused to start, just as she did at York last month. She has now been retired.