10-1 shot Smallmead led home a bitch’s 1-2-3-4 in the final of the RPGTV St.Leger, though trainer John Mullins refuses to take any of the credit. This is how she did it.

It was 20 years since mum Linda landed the St.Leger with Palace Issue, and 40 years since dad Pat, failed with the treble seeking (Grand Prix/Gold Collar) Sports Promoter. The fact that the Champion Stakes winner was even in the line-up was remarkable in itself.

John said: “She was lucky to get through the first round (Badly baulked and knocked back to fifth place at the first bend, she ran on for third). She was in a pretty poor state the next day, completely trapped up and I didn’t expect her to run in the semis.

“But I took her to (physio) George Drake who worked on her. Even by the Sunday (three days later), she still wasn’t right but George didn’t give up. I never get too confident about winning any race, but after coming through that, I sort of had a feeling that her name was on the trophy.

“But it is entirely down to George who is an absolute genius and the best there has ever been, in my view. You ask Charlie Lister – who phoned to congratulate me last night which was brilliant. Charlie used George for years and has the same view.

“I remember once taking a dog to George, and as far as I was concerned, the dog was sound. George checked him over and said, ‘he has a hairline fracture of the wrist’. I took him to the vet and it showed up on an X-ray. That is the calibre of the man.”

Smallmead now heads off to Swindon for the Property 192 Oaks.

John said: “She deserves a chance, there is only one Oaks. She can run a track with0ut a trial as she showed at Yarmouth with a 27.65 look first time. I have been quite tough on her in a couple of races where I expected her to do better. But that is how much I think of her, and she proved what a great bitch she was last night.

“Lastly, I think it is important to acknowledge that after all the problems this year, the industry has managed to put on both the Derby and Leger. There isn’t enough credit given to the people who made this happen, particularly Rachel and Nathan Corden at Nottingham, and of course all the staff at Perry Barr. There are too many people knocking this game.”

Leger winner SMALLMEAD with John Mullins and kennelhand Barry Kent Perry Barr 26th November 2020 Photo: © Steve Nash