Krone a legend among legends

THE most successful female jockey of all-time, Julie Krone, heads a stellar cast in the Leger Legends Race at Doncaster today, having pulled out of a reality TV show in the United States to join the line-up at Town Moor.

The now-retired Krone, 48, rode more than 3,700 winners in her career and was the first woman rider to be inducted into the American Hall of Fame. She had been due to appear on Survivor – the US version of I’m A Celebrity – but has instead headed to Yorkshire to ride the well-fancied Invincible Hero in the 16-runner race.

Other weighing room Legends taking part in what looks to be a competitive race, if not for serious betting stakes, include Ray Cochrane, John Reid, Thierry Gillet, Charlie Swan and Ernie Johnson.

On the same card, Gold City is fancied to regain the winning thread in the Napoleons Sheffield Conditions Stakes on day one of the Ladbrokes St Leger meeting.

Saeed bin Suroor could do with a nice prospect for next year and, while this Pivotal colt saw his unbeaten record disappear in Ripon’s Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy last week, he lost little else in defeat. He was possibly in front a little too long as he idled near the finish, allowing the well-regarded and Group 1-bound Gerfalcon to collar him close home. This is a trappy little race, but one that can hopefully provide a springboard to better things.

Much will be expected from Sahara Sun as he makes his British debut in what promises to be an intriguing Coopers Marquees Conditions Stakes. Luca Cumani excels with foreign imports and this four-year-old was a top-notch performer in his native Chile. A trip to Australia for the Cox Plate is the plan and, while he will no doubt improve for the run, he ought to be there or thereabouts.