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Continuous (3/1) added his name to the Betfred St Leger roll of honour and provided Aidan O’Brien with a seventh success in the world's oldest Classic.

Five years had passed since Aidan O'Brien last landed the final British Classic of the season, whilst the master of Ballydoyle first landed the prize back in 2001 courtesy of Milan and the legendary trainer was clearly keen to add another to his tally by saddling no fewer than four of the nine contenders.

The progressive three-year-old arrived in fine fettle on the back of an authoritative display in the Great Voltigeur at York and once again dispatched of the reopposing Gregory with the minimum of fuss.

Stablemate Denmark ensured there would be no hiding place in terms of stamina by setting off at the head of affairs. Kieran Shoemark and Gregory helped force the tempo whilst Ryan Moore was in no such rush onboard the 3/1 second-favourite, who relaxed kindly more towards the rear of midfield.

The pace began to lift rounding the bend and with a sparkling turn of the Japanese-bred son of Heart's Cry soon hit the front down the back straight. Although some had question marks surrounding the trip, he soon proved the step up to Doncaster's Classic distance of 1m6f to be no issue by powering away for a commanding two-and-a-three-quarter length success under Ryan Moore.

It wasn't to be the farewell many racing fans would have desired for Frankie Dettori, but his mount Arrest, who was sent off the 11/4 market leader, did stay on strongly to fill the runner-up spot.

Desert Hero emerged with plenty of credit as he finished back in third, with King Charles on course to watch his William Haggas-trained son of Sea The Stars. It was a performance that could see his colt head down under for the race that 'stops a nation' although trainer William Haggas was keen to stress no immediate decision would be made.

"It's [Melbourne Cup] on the table but it hasn't been discussed until after this race."

O'Brien said: "He got the distance very well in York and we were not sure about the distance, but he has got it well again.

"There are a lot of possibilities, and it will be down to the lads, the Arc is in two weeks and is a possibility, but we'll talk to Ryan and see what they want to do.

"He's a lot of class this horse this horse and he does stay, and he does handle soft ground. There is every chance he could [head to the Arc], he's a hardy horse and he could back up in two weeks.

"The lads will decide that, but I would say there is a chance."

He added: "It's so special that the King and Queen were here, you could see the buzz around the parade ring and the passion from the crowd.

"Frankie is another who is special, he has been unbelievable. He's beaten us in so many races I cannot tell you and I can't wait until he retires! He's the most unbelievable rider we've ever seen and a great fellow too, a very kind man, he always wants good for everybody, there's no side to Frankie.

"He's always worked very hard all his career and he always does his best. It's not like when he retires, he's not going to go racing, but he's always been great friends with us. He's ridden a lot of big winners for us but he's beaten us more than he's won for us!

"He used to ride out at Ballydoyle and I always remember him riding Australia when he was a two-year-old and he told us in the March I think it was that he was going to be very special."

Moore, who was winning his third Leger, added: "Over these trips you want the horse to be taking you and I knew a long way out he was going well.

"He showed at York he had a turn of foot and because we went steady, I was always happy.

"He's out of a Galileo mare so I was always confident he'd stay and his sire, Heart's Cry, was the only horse who could beat Deep Impact in Japan so there was stamina there.

"He showed a really good turn of foot to put the race to bed and then just had a look around in the final furlong.

"He's getting better and has this great will to win and a lot of guts."

Dettori, who was bidding to bow out on a high in his final season in the saddle, said: "I wanted to curse Ryan but he's such a great mate of mine I couldn't, so I congratulated him instead," he said. "His was the best horse on the day. I got a super run and got excited a touch but when I saw Ryan going better than me, I knew if I got second that would be good.

"It's been a good journey, it wasn't to be, but I came close, and I loved it. He was a bit gassy but that's the way he is. He's getting better and he's going to be a force to be reckoned with next year over a mile-and-a-half - but by then he won't be my problem!"

Paddy Power introduced Continuous at 10/1 for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on the first day of October, whilst the same firm cut him from 50/1 to the same price to land the Champion Stakes at Ascot later that month.