Vinnie Roe loses St Leger

English-trained Collier Hill spoiled Vinnie Roe's bid for a fifth consecutive Irish St Leger victory at The Curragh on Saturday.

Vinnie Roe, the local hero, struck the front more than a quarter-mile from home and everything looked set for celebration. But Collier Hill, trained by Alan Swinbank and ridden by Dean McKeown, passed him about 50 yards from home.

Collier Hill scored by a half-length over The Whistling Teal, who stayed on strongly at the end, with Vinnie Roe another half-length back in third.

Yeats, the co-favorite with Vinnie Roe in a field of nine, was another half-length back in fourth. Vinnie Roe will be retired to stud at the end of the year.

Collier Hill ran the 1 3/4 miles in 3:01.24 to gain his first Group 1 victory.