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racing news |
Krone Rolls Back the Years with Leger Legends Victory
08/09/11
US Hall of Famer Julie Krone returned to the saddle at Doncaster on Wednesday, flying in from North America to take part in the 'Leger Legends' mile contest that illuminated the opening day of the four-day St Leger Festival. And the pocket-sized winning-most female rider of all time didn't let supporters down with a copybook victory aboard the appropriately named 4/1f Invincible Hero, writes Elliot Slater.
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Krone, who retired from race riding in 2003, is a genuine legend in the world of racing having partnered an astounding 3,704 winners in a glittering career that saw her become the first and only woman to land a leg of the US Triple Crown when partnering Colonial Affair to victory in the Belmont Stakes in 1993, and also the first to win a Breeders' Cup race shortly before hanging up her riding boots. Those who followed the horse tips will know what a great rider she was.
Amongst a field of 16 runners all partnered by great names from the past, including John Reid, George Duffield, Charlie Swan, Ray Cochrane and 1969 Epsom Derby-winning jockey Ernie Johnson, Krone was the star even before the race took place having been flown in by the race organisers especially for the event. Despite having not ridden competitively for some years the 48-year-old always had Declan Carroll's Invincible Hero to the fore in the near-side group before moving him across to the centre of the track to join trailblazing Talent Scout (under the Racing Post's Tom O'Ryan). Leading two furlongs from home, Krone's mount soon quickened to put the race beyond doubt with the winning pairing getting a tremendous reception from the Town Moor crowd as they came home three-lengths clear of Charlie Swan on Skyfire and the 60-something George Duffield on board the turf maiden Dialogue. Anyone looking at the horse betting odds wouldn't have been surprised by the result.
The success of the event and the significant sum raised for the Injured Jockeys' Fund and the Northern Racing College should ensure that the 'Legends' race becomes a regular feature of the Leger Festival for years to come.
