St Leger: Sunway Finishes Third After Bump From Rival, Arc and Champion Stakes Next?

There are hopes for West Sussex success as trainer David Menuisier prepares a runner for this weekend’s St Leger, the oldest of British racing’s five Classics, a race first run in 1776. The Pulborough-based handler saddles Sunway, a full-brother to the classy Sealiway who won the prestigious British Champions Stake at Ascot in 2021. Menuisier’s charge has already proven that he can mix it at the top-level, finishing a gallant second in this year’s Irish Derby, before running fourth in the King George at Ascot in July. Stamina appears to be this horse’s forte, the step up in trip to one mile and six furlongs looks sure to suit, as will Doncaster’s flat, galloping track.

Sunway’s claims have also been bolstered by the booking of Belgian-born, French-based jockey Christophe Soumillon, one of the most experienced big race jockeys in the world. The ten-time French Champion Jockey is a classy operator, a true horseman and he will biding his time aboard Sunway, conserving every ounce to equine energy to maximise his chances of securing a first St Leger victory, and what would be a first British Classic for Menuisier.

Christophe Soumillon was full of praise for Sunway, who again ran creditably in defeat behind Jan Brueghel in the Betfred St Leger, having come close in the Irish Derby earlier in the season. Deira Mile and Sunway were third and fourth past the post respectively, with a nose separating them. However, Owen Burrows’ Deira Mile had given David Menuisier’s Sunway a hefty bump and their placings were reversed.

Soumillon, who was among those introduced to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in the paddock before the race, said: “He ran really well, but when we were fighting it out inside the last 250 yards he got a big bump from the horse on his outside, which meant we lost third place on the line. “He’s a very nice horse, he did everything perfect today and I’m very happy with the run. There’s a nice race in him.”

Menuisier, speaking before the reversal was confirmed, said: “He would have clearly finished third and I’d be amazed if we don’t get it. “He ran another good race as usual, he just found a couple of better ones today. “He could have done with a stronger pace but we have no excuses, he was third best today. “I think he’ll run again this season as he’s had a little break, but I don’t know where yet.”

Burrows had no complaints about Deira Mile being demoted from third, and expected to be so in the immediate aftermath. “He’s run a good race and probably could have done with a stronger gallop, but unfortunately he gave Sunway a bump and I think we’ll lose third,” he said. “With the blinkers on I was conscious I didn’t want him seeing loads of daylight, so Jason (Watson) dropped him in, but the way the race was run, it was an advantage to be closer to the pace. “The race wasn’t run to suit. He travelled into it good, stayed the trip well, but they dictated the pace from the front. “The owner is keen to have a crack at the Arc and why not, he likes a punt. “He’s run a similar race to what Hukum did in this, but I don’t think he’s another Hukum, unfortunately!”

Sunway's Future

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Qipco Champion Stakes are among the options under consideration for Sunway following his third-place finish in the St Leger on Saturday. Although winless since rounding off his juvenile campaign with a Group One win in France, David Menuisier’s colt has run several fine races in defeat at the highest level, notably pushing Los Angeles close in the Irish Derby before faring best of the three-year-olds when fourth in the King George.

He again passed the post fourth in the season’s final Classic on Town Moor, but was promoted by the stewards having been hampered by the Owen Burrows-trained Deira Mile. Menuisier was proud of Sunway’s performance in defeat and has not given up hope of him getting his head in front on a big stage before the year is out. “He’s come out of the race absolutely fine. I think it was justified that he finished third and it was right that they changed the result,” said the trainer. “As usual he ran his heart out and it looks like he stayed the trip well. It was a satisfactory performance. “It’s all up in the air (where he will run next). He’s a Group One winner and the target is to win another Group One if we can. “The Arc is a possibility and the Champion Stakes is a possibility. They are the two strong possibilities as we speak and it will be one or the other rather than both, so we’ll give it some thought and take it from there.”

Menuisier: Proud of Stable's Season

Even in defeat we've held our own, which is important

Menuisier has now seen three of his horses placed in five European Classics this season. As well as Sunway twice finishing on the podium, Tamfana has finished fourth in the 1000 Guineas and third in the French Oaks, while War Chimes occupied third spot in the Oaks at Epsom. While there is bound to be a degree of frustration, Menuisier is proud of stable’s performance in some of the season’s key races. “Look, it’s a pleasure to be part of it in the first place. Even in defeat we’ve held our own, which is important,” he added.