'I've never ridden a horse as genuine as Vinnie Roe'

Five Group 1s grace Irish Champions Weekend and in the lead-up to the meeting we pick out some of the best performances in those top races, continuing with Vinnie Roe's phenomenal run of four Irish St Leger successes from 2001 to 2004.

Toughness personified and as reliable as a Swiss watch come St Leger day at the Curragh. There are few horses to have lit up the Irish staying scene as Vinnie Roe did.

In a dominant period spanning half a decade, Dermot Weld's tigerish son of Definite Article raced 29 times in five countries, two hemispheres – only finishing out of the first four on three occasions.

But the highlights of his 13-win career came at the place he made his own, as the rider who knew him better than anyone, Pat Smullen recalls.

"He was a great horse, hugely consistent and relished any moment over 1m6f at the Curragh" he said.

"It's scary to think that 16 years have passed since the first of those four brilliant days."

While the admirable stayer showed his ability on many occasions, including when chasing home record-breaking Melbourne Cup hero Makybe Diva at Flemington, Smullen acknowledges Vinnie Roe had toughness to match his talent.

Vinnie Roe returns after winning his fourth consecutive Irish St Leger in 2004Credit: MSI Caroline Norris

"His biggest attribute was his courage" he explains, "he had talent, there's no doubt, but it was his huge heart that made him special.

"I don't think I've ever ridden a horse as genuine as Vinnie Roe in my lifetime – he never knew when he was beat and always kept fighting."

The champion jockey unsurprisingly nominates the historic fourth Irish St Leger success as the highlight of a star-studded career; a record which will surely take a stayer from another galaxy to better.

2004 Irish St Leger result

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