ROYAL DIAMOND, TRAINED by Tommy Carmody, made the step up to Grade One level in the Gain Horse Feeds Irish St Leger and took victory in a thrilling climax.
The runner-up in the Ebor at York went out a 16-1 shot behind Fame and Glory, and it seemed that the more lauded of the two was travelling well.
However, up came Niall McCullagh and Royal Diamond, who stayed on best after Fame and Glory had been collared by Massiyn and Aiken.
Tom Dascombe’s Brown Panther did great work to come in third, with Massiyn finishing in the runner-up spot.
McCullagh, winning his first Irish Classic, said: “This is what all the early mornings and hard work is for. My initial plan was to get cover and sit fourth but he ran keen and down the straight he came alive. I knew he’d finish well after riding him in the Ebor.
“He battled all the way to the line and he never flinched. I had an inkling that maybe I might have just got there and I was relieved when the result was called.
“I’ve ridden many Indian Classic winners but they’re not like this one – this one is special.”
Carmody, meanwhile, could not hide his joy.
“This is fabulous, much better than riding them!
“When you ride them you just come in, say your piece and then you’re gone but when you’re training them you live and sleep with them. We have a great team at home and Niall rides out regularly along with Ben Curtis, and Johnny Murtagh comes in to ride work when he can.
“We have 17 in training at the moment and it’s all down to Johnny that I got involved. They’re all very well-bred horses, bred to win St Legers and the like and Andrew (Tinkler, owner) is a fantastic man to train for.”
