Irish St Leger Supremo Vinnie Roe Dies At 27

Vinnie Roe, who won the G1 Irish St Leger from 2001-2004, has died. The pensioned son of Definite Article was 27.

Bred by Virginia Moeran, the bay was out of Kayu (Tap On Wood) and sold for 48,000gns as a foal. In 1999, he made IR£50,000 to subsequent trainer Dermot Weld at Goffs. Vinnie Roe carried the silks of Irish film director Jim Sheridan and Antonio Balzarini, and was partnered by the legendary late Irish jockey Pat Smullen in all bar one of his 29 starts.

A stakes winner and group placed as a juvenile, he won his final four starts at three including his first Irish St leger and the G1 Prix Royal-Oak. Second in the G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, Vinnie Roe claimed his second Irish St Leger in 2002 and was named the Cartier Champion Stayer that year. Over the rest of his career, he added two more Irish St Legers, and also sported fourth, second, and eighth-place finishes in the G1 Melbourne Cup (2002, 2004 and 2005).

At stud he covered primarily National Hunt mares, and was pensioned at Longford House Stud in Ireland after the 2019 season. His best in that sphere was the Grade 2 chase winner Vinndication.