Millenary claims St Leger triumph

Richard Quinn celebrates his victory

Millenary won an epic final furlong duel with Air Marshall to win the 224th running of racing's oldest classic, The St Leger, at Doncaster.

The 11-4 favourite, ridden by Richard Quinn, outstayed Air Marshall to give trainer John Dunlop a third victory in the final classic of the season - and deny Sir Michael Stoute his first St Leger win.

Millenary hit the front with about three furlongs to go, and Quinn admitted he had perhaps gone a little too early.

"But I picked him up and he rallied." he said. "It was pretty lonely, but then it always is when you're in front and waiting for the winning post to come up."

Millenary, owned by L Neil Jones, had come from way back to win the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, but was always in contention in a brisk-paced race.

The 1m 6f 132yd contest had attracted a strong field, with Air Marshall strongly fancied ahead of the race and set to provide the strongest competition for Millenary.

The early running was made by Sir Michael Stoute's other horse, Dalampour, with Pat Eddery on board, but the Irishman never looked happy with his mount.

It was later revealed that a problem with the bit had effectively left Eddery battling to control his horse for the entire race.

He led going into the final quarter of a mile, with the 40-1 outsider Chimes at Midnight also going strong.

But Millenary came through in the closing stages to prove his class, and Quinn claimed his second St Leger win 10 years after his first triumph.

Chimes at Midnight finished third behind the 3-1 Air Marshall, with Media Puzzle (33-1) in fourth and Dalampour back in fifth.