Victory for O'Brien brings neat end to bright-burning career

It is not just policemen who are getting younger. Such is the growing popularity of the Leger Legends after just six years, it now draws in the riders of big-race winners before those horses' progeny have even made the track.

Three of 2013's five Classic winners were represented by their riders this year. Richard Hughes, who won the 1,000 Guineas on Sky Lantern and the Oaks on Talent, was on 9-4 favourite Bluff Crag. Although they finished a respectable fourth, Hughes did not have the chance to show off the smooth riding style he was known for, with his mount among the first off the bridle.

Joseph O'Brien won his only St Leger in 2013, on Leading Light, 12 months after he was denied the Triple Crown on Camelot in the same race. On Phosphorescence, he was given much more freedom to show what we have been missing since his retirement last October, which was confirmed only earlier this year, and duly showed his distinguished rivals the way home.