Conduit drifted in the final stages but was guided to victory by Dettori

Sir Michael Stoute finally captured the only British Classic to have escaped him when Frankie Dettori rode 8-1 shot Conduit to victory in the St Leger.

The Ballymacoll Stud-owned chance took the lead over a furlong out and held on to win by three lengths.

Unsung Heroine finished second at 14-1 in only her third career start, with 11-4 shot Look Here third.

After 25 previous attempts to win the race, an emotional Stoute said: "It's a great thrill and a great relief."

Oaks winner Look Here travelled supremely well but lacked a finishing kick and was three-and-a-quarter-lengths adrift in third.

Aidan O'Brien's Hindu Kush took fourth, with his stablemate and Irish Derby winner Frozen Fire never landing a blow as the 9-4 favourite.

Stoute's stable jockey Ryan Moore picked the wrong one from his yard's runners, his chosen partner Doctor Fremantle failing to stay in eighth.

It was looking good from a long way out for Frankie, but I am disappointed for Ryan, Sir Michael Stoute

Stoute, speaking with a tear in his eye, said: "It has taken a long time but it is enjoyable to have done it at last - especially for this firm (Ballymacoll), because we have had three seconds.

"It was looking good from a long way out for Frankie, but I am disappointed for Ryan, because he has put a lot of work into this horse.

"I thought Conduit was a little below par at Goodwood (when winning the Gordon Stakes) but he showed how progressive he was in the King Edward (at Royal Ascot) when he was a little unlucky and finished second.

"We have had five seconds and plenty of other runners too, but I have felt we have only had one who was marginally unlucky - and that was Quiff.

"I should have taken Shergar out, because the ground was too bad for him that day."

Dettori was winning the world's oldest Classic for the fifth time, and delighted the crowd of 27,000 with his trademark flying dismount.

He said: "I said to Michael that he has had Lester Piggott, Willie Carson, Walter Swinburn, Pat Eddery, Kieren Fallon, Steve Cauthen and Ryan - so I was the last name on his book, and I have got him out of trouble!

"I have won the race for five different trainers and it has been an unbelievable race. To win five Legers is beyond my wildest dream."

Fozzy Stack, assistant to his father Tommy, said of the runner-up: "She has been a very good filly, and I am delighted with the way she has run.

"She had an Oaks winner and a Derby winner behind, and it's only her third start."

St Leger (1m 6f 132yds):
1 Conduit (F Dettori) 8-1
2 Unsung Heroine (W Loran) 14-1
3 Look Here (E Ahern) 11-4