The star of Los Angeles continues to rise after the Irish Derby scorer registered a gutsy success in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.

Third behind Ballydoyle stablemate City Of Troy at Epsom, Aidan O’Brien’s son of Camelot gained his own Classic triumph at the Curragh in the Irish equivalent on his last start.

Supplemented into this Group Two event, he was sent off 5-4 favourite in the hands of Ryan Moore as he became the first horse to win the Knavesmire contest under a penalty.

Los Angeles was settled in third as O’Brien-trained pair Euphoric and Illinois took the field along, but once shaken up to bridge the gap to his stablemates, he responded to Moore’s urgings to work his way to the head of proceedings.

The challengers mounted at all angles as Los Angeles needed to pull out all the stops inside the final furlong but neither rallying runner-up Illinois or Harry Charlton’s King’s Gambit could get past Moore and his willing ally as he hung on by a neck.

He was made the 5-2 outright favourite for the St Leger by Paddy Power in the aftermath, but it remains to be seen in which direction connections will head in the autumn.

O’Brien said: “He was very tough and we were delighted with him. He’s just a lazy horse that gets a mile and a half well.

“Obviously the lads will make that decision (where he runs next), but the second horse stays very well and a mile and six (furlongs) is probably where he is going to be seen at his best.

“Ryan’s horse (Los Angeles) can do either – he can go up in trip, but he has plenty of class, so he could go back for an Irish Champion Stakes and finish in the first four and go on to an Arc, or he can go to the Leger with the others.

“The horse that won in Goodwood (Jan Brueghel) would probably get the Leger trip very well, Illinois would probably get the trip very well and Los Angeles could get it as well, but would have an option of going shorter trips as well.

“He’s a massive, handsome, powerful horse and he has the options and he’s very versatile ground-wise.

“I’m delighted for the lads and everyone. It’s hard to win these races, so it for it to come together, especially at a place like this, is great.”

Charlton was satisfied with King’s Gambit’s effort but has yet to consider future plans.

He said: “He ran a lovely race. William (Buick) just thought he stays a mile and a half but that felt more like a mile and six on him the way they rode it.

“He came there to win his race but he was slightly on empty, but he’s run great. He made a lot of ground from three out to close up but then he just emptied.

“He’s a 10- or 12-furlong horse but 12 in less extreme circumstances.

“We’ve nothing in mind, I’ll talk to Mohammed Jaber and see what he wants to do.”

Los Angeles will either run in the Betfred St Leger or the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes on September 14.

Aidan O’Brien’s Irish Derby winner defied a 5lb penalty in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last week, with stablemate Illinois closing him down rapidly in the last of the 12 furlongs.

If he stays at home for the Irish Champion, he will be dropping to 10 furlongs, but should he run at Doncaster, he will be stepping up to a mile and three-quarters.

O’Brien is well stocked for both races, with Auguste Rodin pencilled in for the highlight of the Irish Champions Festival, while at Doncaster, stablemates Illinois, the unbeaten Jan Brueghel and Grosvenor Square are heading the betting.

With City Of Troy set to skip the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in favour of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Los Angeles could book his ticket for Paris by running well at Leopardstown.

“He could go to either the St Leger or the Irish Champion Stakes. Obviously, if he’s going to the Arc, he could go for the Irish Champion Stakes,” said O’Brien.

“Auguste Rodin could go there as well with Luxembourg. That’s a little bit of a change this week.

“We’ll see what the ground is going to be like at Doncaster and there are three other horses that could run in the St Leger if he (Los Angeles) didn’t run there.

“He seems to have come out of the race (in York) well. We’ll see what happens over the next couple of weeks.”

Los Angeles's Journey to the Voltigeur Triumph

The win at York solidified Los Angeles’s place as a top contender in the world of horse racing, showcasing his strength and determination. His success at the Voltigeur Stakes was no easy feat, as he was forced to work hard to secure his victory. This was especially true given that he was carrying a 5lb penalty for his Irish Derby win, adding to the challenge of the race.

Despite this, Los Angeles managed to stay ahead of his competitors, showcasing his stamina and will to win. This performance is a testament to his capabilities as a top-tier horse, and it's not surprising that he's now considered a favorite for the prestigious St Leger race.

What's Next for Los Angeles?

The question on everyone's minds now is where Los Angeles will go next. While Aidan O’Brien has several options, the St Leger remains a strong possibility for the young colt.

However, O'Brien has also hinted at the Irish Champion Stakes as another possible race for Los Angeles. This would be a significant change in direction, as it would mean racing over a shorter distance than the St Leger.

Ultimately, The decision on Los Angeles’s next race will come down to the horse’s condition, the suitability of the race, and the strategic decisions of his connections. Regardless of the route he takes, Los Angeles’s future in horse racing is bright, with a potential run in the prestigious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe looming as a potential highlight.

Los Angeles's Potential in the St Leger

Los Angeles has the potential to make a strong impact in the St Leger, if he does race in it. His victory at the Voltigeur Stakes, a race often seen as a warm-up for the St Leger, has put him in a strong position for the historic race.

However, it's worth noting that Aidan O’Brien is known for having a strong stable, and that he has other contenders for the St Leger besides Los Angeles. If he does decide to run Los Angeles in the St Leger, he will face stiff competition from his own stablemates.

The Future of Los Angeles

The Voltigeur Stakes win was a major milestone in Los Angeles’s racing career. It has cemented his status as a top contender in the racing world and has opened the door to even greater opportunities, including potential appearances in the St Leger and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

The future for Los Angeles appears bright, and his upcoming races will be closely watched by racing fans around the world, who are eager to see what this talented young colt can achieve.