RACING: Aidan O'Brien has become the first trainer to win all five Irish Classics in one season since 1935 after Seamus Heffernan's and Septimus romped home in the Irish Field St Leger at the Curragh this afternoon, but the double was denied him 30 minutes earlier when Frankie Dettori and Conduit won the English equivalent.
O'Brien's Frozen Fire began firm favourite at Doncaster but Johnny Murtagh's mount was nowhere to be seen as Conduit finished three lengths ahead of Unsung Heroine, with Oaks winner Look Here a creditable third.
At the Curragh, however, there was no contest as Septimus made his move three from home and comfortably beat the field, 13 lengths ahead of stablemate New Zealand in second, with Kevin Prendergast's Red Moloney (25-1) finished third.
"It's great for Ballydoyle and the whole team," O'Brien reflected from Doncaster. "Melbourne is a definite possibility but he is in the Arc as well. We will just see what happens over the next few days."
Delighted winning owner Derrick Smith said: "You're always nervous when they go off at such short odds, but he did it nicely.
"There is no end to Aidan's talents and achievements and it is a terrific effort all round.
"Aidan has always had the Melbourne Cup on the agenda. There are quarantine issues to sort out a bit, but it's a possibility if he comes out of the race well."
Heffernan added: "We were just hoping he'd be fit enough as he's so genuine and he really wants to respond.
"I've been very lucky and I've had a really good year. I suppose I'm not doing badly for a second jockey."
O'Brien and Murtagh did have something to cheer at Doncaster when they combined for a second consecutive success in the National Express Doncaster Cup as Honolulu brought his stamina to the fore in the stayers' event on Town Moor.
The domineering Ballydoyle duo struck 12 months ago with Septimus, and again took to honours in the Group Two event as the 15-8 favourite gunned down the front-running Royal And Regal.
The latter took no prisoners in the stayers' test when bowling along from the outset, and had his eight rivals under pressure passing the three-furlong marker.
But O'Brien's Queen Alexandra winner has bundles of stamina and put it to good use by pegging back Royal And Regal and staying on to collect by four lengths.
Murtagh said: "He's a lovely horse and won well.
"He's been working well, has improved and Aidan has been delighted with him."
In the St Leger though, Conduit was always travelling well and settled in behind rivals in the early stages before cruising up to challenge in the straight.
Stoute's 8-1 chance went to the front over a furlong out and despite wandering slightly in the closing stages, stayed on to comfortably take the Group One prize.
Stoute has won big races all over the world but 25 runners in previous Legers had failed to oblige.
He told Channel 4 Racing: "It's a great thrill and a great relief. I thought it was a very strong Leger.
"I thought Conduit ran below par at Goodwood, having run a blinder at Royal Ascot. He'd had a very good preparation and we were very hopeful."