Blue Bunting flags possibility of first filly to win Leger since 1992

BLUE Bunting heads into a battle of the sexes today as she lines up in the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster seeking a rarely-seen Triple Crown of sorts, having taken the 1,000 Guineas and Irish Oaks already.

The last filly to win the Leger was User Friendly back in 1992 and Frankie Dettori’s mount, who fought out the Yorkshire Oaks last time, will be joined by two other members from the Godolphin team in Rumh and Genius Beast.

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: “Ever since Blue Bunting was competitive as a two-year-old, when winning a Listed race at Newmarket very well, we knew she was a very good filly. She has done nothing but please us through this whole campaign. She is super tough and very resolute – she gives everything she has, though she wins her races by a narrow margin.

“She has held her condition throughout a tough and busy campaign and is as robust and healthy as she was back in May, which is why she is going for the Leger. Her sex allowance will be incredibly important and hopefully will give her every chance of beating the colts.”

Sir Michael Stoute cannot envisage Sea Moon having any issues with the extended test of the Leger as the red-hot favourite attempts to provide the trainer with just his second victory in the oldest Classic.

Stoute’s lack of Leger success used to be a familiar theme in the race as runner after fancied runner failed to satisfy, and he had to settle for second on three occasions this century before Conduit finally set the record straight in 2008.

The Barbadian believes the lightly-raced Sea Moon has the pedigree for a mile and six furlongs on Town Moor and he certainly has the form after storming eight lengths clear in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York. It was just the fourth race of the one-time Derby hope’s life and he has the assistance of a king of the big occasion, Frenchman Olivier Peslier, in the continued absence of Ryan Moore. “Sea Moon is a horse that we’ve always enjoyed and rated and we went to York hopeful for the Great Voltigeur but didn’t expect him to win in the manner that he did,” said Stoute. “It’s the most competitive Leger we’ve had for many years.”

Richard Hughes stepped in aboard Sea Moon in the Voltigeur but has decided to stay loyal to his father-in-law Richard Hannon, trainer of Census.

Trainer John Gosden has the best recent Leger record with three winners from his last four runners including Arctic Cosmos a year ago. He fields Masked Marvel and Buthelezi.

Brown Panther will be trainer Tom Dascombe and footballing owner Michael Owen’s first runner. It was decided this week to replace his usual jockey, Richard Kingscote, with Kieren Fallon.

Father and son Aidan and Joseph O’Brien combine with Seville, who finished well behind Sea Moon at York. The 18-year-old Joseph is looking for his first British Classic winner, after partnering Roderic O’Connor to land this year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas.

It’s also the Irish Leger today at the Curragh, where O’Brien’s Fame And Glory again meets the horse who inflicted a surprise defeat on him last time, Fictional Account. Joining Jukebox Jury on the journey from Britain are Gosden’s Duncan and Ed Dunlop’s Red Cadeaux. Waydownsouth makes up the sextet.