BONDI BEACH WON the St Leger for Aidan O’Brien amid post-race drama and controversy at Doncaster.

Simple Verse, an 8/1 outsider, appeared to have held on for a thrilling win in the season’s final classic but the stewards reversed the placings following an enquiry.

Ralph Beckett’s filly was ruled to have barged as the horses fought for position in the final furlong.

There could still be more drama to follow as Beckett promised that an appeal was “absolutely certain.”

Another O’Brien runner, Fields of Athenry (10/3), finished third.

“I’m delighted,” O’Brien told AtTheRaces after the 2/1 joint favourite, ridden by Colm O’Donoghue, gave him his fifth St Leger win.

But he conceded: “You’re always sorry to get a race like that.

I think it was a little bit messy up the straight and Colm gave him a great ride. He’s a brave horse.

“There was no doubt he was running back at the line.

“I’m sorry for connections of the second, but we’re delighted that he won.”

Paul Dunne defeated but Great Britain and Ireland steal a march in the Walker Cup