Repertory shows off his repertoire

Sweeney added: "I heard Mick coming, but his run came to an end close to home and we scraped in by a head.

"Racehorses are not exactly renowned for brains, but Repertory definitely knows how to use his."

It was the biggest prize 23-year-old Sweeney has ever won, along with the small Somerset stable run by garage owner and trainer Malcolm Saunders.

Fergus's father Dennis, owner of two fast-food restaurants in Belfast, was there to see his son's greatest triumph too.

Sweeney, who rode 60 winners in a season as a 3lb claiming apprentice, has had a steady, middle-of-the-road career since losing his allowance and grabbed the big chance with both hands when it landed in his lap.

Saunders had wanted Johnny Murtagh, Richard Hughes or Jamie Spencer in the saddle, but all three had received riding bans at Royal Ascot and were not available. Sweeney, originally from Holywood in County Down, proved a more than adequate replacement and was receiving the just deserts of loyalty to Repertory's owner-handler.

A graduate of the British Racing School at Newmarket, Sweeney first joined Mick Channon's stable, where, by coincidence, Repertory started his career also, until being bought out of the yard for a bargain 8,500 guineas by Saunders. The son of Anshan has since won his silvery-haired trainer almost £250,000.

Sweeney numbers Bryn Palling and Michael Blanshard among the trainers he rides for, and the Irish triumph sparked another two winners for him last week where, in five days he rode at courses in England, Scotland, Wales and the Emerald Isle.

"Of course I'd love to keep the ride on him," said Sweeney, and he might just do that.

Saunders observed: "His agent rang me back in January asking if I would use him, and I said that if he came down and rode out I'd think about it.

"He travelled from Lambourn, which is quite a trip, every Friday and never let me down. He is a good rider, in the Steve Drowne mould, who has suddenly blossomed and could really make it. At the Curragh he didn't panic when the rest came at them."

Repertory could be going back to the Curragh next Sunday for the Rockingham Stakes, which he won two years ago.

Later options include a Group 3 at Goodwood, and he is also entered in the Nunthorpe.

Another tilt at Longchamp's Prix du Petit Couvert, which he took last year, could also be on the cards with the Prix de L'Abbaye not out of the question either.

The big bay horse is near the top of his class. Saunders and Sweeney will be counting on him to mastermind more searching examinations.