Loughnane says Highwayman ‘just too good on the day’

Billy Loughnane admitted Highwayman was “just too good” after Saffie Osborne made history in becoming the first woman to win a British Classic in the 250th running of the Betfred St Leger.

Loughnane made his challenge two furlongs out on Enceladus (5-2), but never really looked like he would lay a glove on the Joseph O’Brien-trained Highwayman, who ran out a two-and-a-half-length winner at 11-1 from his stablemate.

Loughnane said: “I got a super run, I got a little bit of interference early on, but I got into a lovely rhythm behind the winner.

“But he was just too good on the day. When I rolled into it at two and a half (furlongs out) I thought I had a right chance, but Saffie’s was always going to win.”

Aidan O’Brien’s beaten Oaks favourite Amelia Earhart ran with credit in third on her first try at a mile and three-quarters and jockey Tom Marquand was happy with how she finished her race.

Marquand settled Amelia Earhart on the heels of Highwayman and at one point felt he could challenge the winner, but his pursuit was ultimately futile.

Marquand said: “She ran great, towed in on the back of Enceladus and the winner and I thought she was going to give them some real trouble for a minute. They just put a little bit of distance on her in the end, she ran great and stayed really well to the line.

“She saw the trip out fine and the option is there if she wants to come back to a mile and a half, but if there is another option at this trip you wouldn’t rule her out, she stays well.”

Amelia Earhart’s stablemate Christmas Day was sent off the 7-4 favourite, but the Derby winner only beat two home, one of those being stablemate and pacemaker Action, who was last.