Saturday`S St Leger winner, Silver Patriarch, may have run his last race of the season. Trainer John Dunlop, speaking at Longchamp yesterday, said: "I have discussed it very briefly with the owner and I think that that is probably the end of the season for him.

"Next year I think we will stick with a mile and a half. Some St Leger winners only came into their own over a mile and three quarters but I think he will definitely start off over a mile and a half."

Jockey Pat Eddery, who enjoyed his 4,000th British winner aboard Silver Patriarch, said: "I discussed it with the trainer and we were both of the feeling that the Leger should be his last race this season.

"We both feel that he is going to be a much better four-year-old. I think the horse has done enough now, he has won his Classic. He is by Saddlers' Hall, who was a very good four-year-old and his half-brother (My Patriarch) was a good horse at four, so it all points that way."

Silver Patriarch's owner Peter Winfield has stressed that he will not listen to offers for the colt. He said: "It is my intention that the horse will remain 100 per cent owned by Peter S Winfield and will be back as a four-year-old - although it is too early to say what his programme would be as we have got to get through the winter first!."

Eddery joined Lester Piggott and Gordon Richards as the third jockey to reach the landmark in Britain with a stunning victory on 5 to 4 favourite.

Eddery had languished one short of the milestone for two days but he produced his best when it mattered as he secured his fourth success in the Classic. He had three lengths in hand over French challenger Vertical Speed at the line, with The Fly finishing a neck back in third. The normally phlegmatic Eddery, who partnered his first winner Alvaro at Epsom 28 years ago, clenched his fist in triumph as he crossed the line and saluted the massive Doncaster crowd. Back in the weigh room he was dowsed in champagne by Willie Carson and Frankie Dettori.

"It's just brilliant. To get to 4,000 in a Classic is a dream. Silver Patriarch gave me a great ride and battled well in the last furlong to stride away," he said.

"I remember my first winner like it was yesterday. That was exciting too but I never dreamt my career would be so good to me."

Lester Piggott led the tributes to the 45-year-old Eddery. "It was a great feat, especially to do it in the St Leger," he said. "He took a few days to get it but it was terrific to do it today."

Carson said: "It's absolutely marvellous, isn't it? Only two jockeys ever did it before and they are proper legends. I'm so thrilled for him and to do it in this race is an extra bonus - a great achievement."

Silver Patriarch was beaten an agonising short head by Benny The Dip in the Epsom Derby and proved an expensive flop in the Irish version.

But with market rival Stowaway, who had beaten him at York last time, ruled out because of lameness on the morning of the race, the grey was finally able to turn Classic silver into gold.