Al Riffa makes 2025 Melbourne Cup statement in Irish St Leger romp

Al Riffa has cemented his place as the leading Melbourne Cup contender with a runaway four-length victory in the Group 1 Irish St Leger (2816m) at the Curragh.

The Joseph O’Brien-trained entire was having his first start since being purchased by Australian Bloodstock and couldn’t have been more impressive, cruising clear to justify his short quote and firm into $6 for the $10 million Cup on November 4.

Already a two-time Cup-winning trainer, O’Brien is relishing the chance to campaign Al Riffa, though he recognises the added challenge. “He’s a multiple Group 1 winner, so he’s going to carry a lot more weight, but he’s going to carry it because he’s a very high-class horse,” O’Brien said. “Whether he can win carrying the weight, we’ll find out, but he is a classy horse and he does have some of the right attributes that we think you need for the race. We’re excited to hopefully get a smooth passage down there.”

The official handicaps will be unveiled on Tuesday by David Hegan, giving the first real indication of the task ahead.

Al Riffa’s resume now features three Group 1 trophies – the National Stakes at two, the Grosser Preis von Berlin in Germany last year, and now the Irish St Leger – along with victories in the Curragh Cup and a runner-up finish in the Hardwicke Stakes.

Dylan Browne-McMonagle, who has ridden Al Riffa throughout, was also aboard Australian sprinter Asfoora at the meeting, but she couldn’t reproduce her Nunthorpe Stakes heroics, finishing seventh in the Flying Five Stakes behind Arizona Blue.