Krone rolls back the years to land Legends

Julie Krone showed why she is the most successful female jockey of all time by beating an illustrious list of former riders at Doncaster.

The 48-year-old American Hall of Fame jockey, now with 3,705 winners to her credit, turned back the years when partnering Invincible Hero to an emphatic victory in the Clipper Logistics Leger Legends Classified Stakes.

Her amazing career, that finally ended due to injury in 2003, stood her in good stead in a charity race that featured a host of familiar names of the turf that included former British champion Flat jockey Kevin Darley, and Classic winners John Reid, George Duffield, Ray Cochrane and Ernie Johnson.

Former jockey-turned-trainer Gay Kelleway was also in the line-up along with top names from the National Hunt scene including Graham Bradley, Norman Williamson and Steve Smith Eccles. The purpose of the Legends race is to help raise money for the Injured Jockeys’ Fund rehabilitation centre, in Malton, and development of the Northern Racing College.

Krone had Invincible Hero towards the front rank from the outset of the straight mile contest as Tom O’Ryan made the running on Talent Scout before taking the Declan Carroll-trained four-year-old to the lead two furlongs out. Quickly taking a couple of lengths out of the field, Krone was in command as she sent Invincible Hero, the 4-1 favourite, clear to win convincingly by three and a half lengths.

Retired Irish jumps jockey-turned-trainer Charlie Swan was second on Skyfire, with Duffield another neck away in third on the well-backed Dialogue.

A delighted Krone said: “I’d like to thank all the other jockeys that took part. They’ve been magnificent and the support and camaraderie they showed in the changing room was amazing.

“This event is supporting two great causes and they are both very worthwhile. In racing, it doesn’t matter where you are from, you are part of it, it’s like an unwritten language, you don’t even have to talk.”

Alanza can light up day two of the Leger meeting at Doncaster with victory in the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes. Trained by John Oxx, who does not send his animals over the Irish Sea for a day out, this daughter of Dubai Destination is making rapid progress, and is already a dual Listed winner.

This is another step up the ladder, but it was hard not to be impressed with the manner of her latest success at Tipperary.