The five-year old mare Kastoria brilliantly took the Group 1 Irish St Leger at the Curragh on Saturday by cutting down hot favourite Yeats. The five-year old mare Kastoria brilliantly took the Group 1 Irish St Leger at the Curragh on Saturday by cutting down hot favourite Yeats.

Always handily placed, Kastoria slowly overhauled Yeats inside the final furlong to win by half a length. The pair were ten lengths clear of the rest of the field headed by third place finisher, The Whistling Teal. Jockey Mick Kinane: said after the race “I knew she was a decent mare. Today she’s gone and proved herself a genuine Group 1 performer”.

By winning this Irish classic, the daughter of Selkirk and Kassana (Shernazar), from the family of the successful sire Kahyasi, produced her career-best performance. Kastoria did not see a racecourse until last year but this ultra-consistent mare has previously won 3 Listed races and a Group 3 whilst also placing 5 times from 5 other starts. The Canadian International is now mentioned as a possible next target for Kastoria.

Updated on 20/09/2006