New Melbourne Cup favourite's big win
Joseph O’Brien’s Al Riffa stormed into Melbourne Cup favouritism with a commanding four-length victory in the Group 1 Comer Group International Irish St Leger at the Curragh.
Ridden cold by Dylan Browne McMonagle, the five-year-old unleashed a devastating turn of foot inside the final furlong to put the race to bed.
“The horse has been a star for us,” O’Brien said.
Joseph O’Brien will be chasing a third Melb Cup with Al Riffa Bolted away with Irish St Leger
Terrific ride Dylan Browne McMonagle 👏 pic.twitter.com/8LW6UXICNN
— STEVE HEWLETT 🏇🎣 🛥👩🦳📻🏃♂️ (@stevejoseph69) September 14, 2025
“He had a tough race today but we’ll get him fresh and hopefully the Melbourne Cup is next. He’s a classy horse, so he’ll have to carry weight, but he’s got the right attributes. That’s what racing is all about.”
The triple Group 1 winner, already successful in the National Stakes and Grosser Preis von Bayern, has thrived since stepping up in trip. His latest win came via a near-identical path to O’Brien’s previous Melbourne Cup heroes Rekindling (2017) and Twilight Payment (2020), both of whom also used the Curragh Cup as a springboard.
Al Riffa will now enter quarantine next week ahead of travel to Australia, where he will run in the Australian Bloodstock colours.
Al Riffa is now the $7 favourite with Bet365 for the Melbourne Cup.
