Scandinavia showed courage and class to hand Aidan O'Brien a ninth win in the St Leger (G1) Sept. 13 at Doncaster Racecourse.
Dual Derby winner Lambourn ensured there were no hiding places as he set a strong gallop from the start in the world's oldest classic and Scandinavia toughed it out best to hold off the fast-finishing Rahiebb in second, with Stay True back in third.
Coming off the back of a group 1 success in the Goodwood Cup (G1), Scandinavia was uneasy at the head of the market throughout the day but late support saw him start the 2-1 favorite.
Clinging to Lambourn's tail in the opening stages, Scandinavia struck for home early in the home straight and kept pulling out extra for big-race jockey Tom Marquand.
The challengers surrounded him entering the final quarter mile, but Scandinavia was courageous in front and, as Rahiebb launched a sustained attack in the final furlong, he pulled out just enough to win by a neck with a further length back to Stay True.
"He's got the most beautiful temperament," said Marquand, winning a second Leger after scoring on Galileo Chrome in 2020. "Speaking to Aidan O'Brien, Ryan Moore, and Wayne Lordan, the thing they all said was just how straightforward he was.
"The ground is hard work, and they all came to have a go at him, but he fended them all off. I'm so lucky to aboard today. To be aboard for Coolmore and Ballydoyle is something special."
Marquand, who rode the winner as a maiden last year, said he could see the potential then but never envisaged winning the Leger on him.
He added: "I thought he'd be a lovely staying type, but I managed to get beat on him that day. He's an extremely special horse and one I'm privileged to be sat aboard today."
O'Brien, winning the race for the third year running, watched on from day one of the Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown and shared his delight after the race.
"He's hardy and Tom gave him a great ride," said O'Brien. "He stays very well, but were a little bit worried when the ground got on the softer side. He's a lovely horse. He's a typical Justify; he's very, very genuine. The better the ground, the better you'll see from him, and I'd say there's plenty to come from him.
"Scandinavia is in the Melbourne Cup. It's a possibility. He'll have to go and get scanned and see whether he is eligible to go or not, but there's a very good chance the lads might want to go down there with him."
Ray Dawson, riding in his first Classic aboard Rahiebb, thought it was going to be his day but had to settle for second on the Roger Varian-trained runner-up, who looks a smart prospect for next season.
"I thought inside the furlong-marker we'd get there," said Dawson. "It was a great run and we're absolutely delighted with him. To get that close for a jockey is gutting, but he's a lovely horse."
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