The 250th edition of the world’s oldest Classic is here! All eyes will be on Town Moor at 3.35pm, when 11 runners go for glory in the St Leger Stakes – live on Sky Sports Racing from Doncaster Enceladus takes on Ballydoyle duo Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard in the latest renewal of the St Leger. The 250th renewal of the Group 1 Betfred St Leger looks a cracker, with Aidan and Joseph O’Brien set to dominate a field of 11. Joseph O’Brien took this race with Galileo Chrome in 2020 and looks to have a super chance with Enceladus.
The son of Sea The Stars has progressed with each start, including when winning the King George V at the Royal meeting. He warmed up for a crack at this with a ready success in the Gordon Stakes and may go off the market leader under Billy Loughnane. Nine-time winner Aidan O’Brien saddles four runners with Derby hero Christmas Day a big player under Ronan Whelan. Any rain would be a positive given his Epsom triumph in wet conditions, and he will be 5lbs better off with stablemate Pierre Bonnard – who finished ahead of him at York.
Great Voltigeur runner-up Pierre Bonnard should be suited by this extra distance after defeat at the hands of Arc hopeful Maltese Cross, while Amelia Earhart is a quirky but talented filly. She looked like showing signs of revival when a runner-up in Group 3 company at Cork, but this is a huge step up from that assignment. Of the others, Andrew Balding pair Galiyan and Hatteen rate each-way alternatives, with Saffie Osborne picking up the ride on Joseph O’Brien’s second string, Highwayman. The 2000 Guineas favourite Desert Castle is the headline act in a quality edition of the Group 2 Betfred Champagne Stakes.
The Charlie Appleby-trained Frankel colt burst onto the scene with a runaway success at Newmarket last month and he will be all the rage to follow up under Billy Loughnane – who will be eyeing more winners to fend off Oisín Murphy at the summit of the jockeys’ championship. See the latest horse racing news, interviews and features from Sky Sports Racing Gentle Hurricane scored on debut before improving to claim second in the Acomb Stakes and granted further progress he can put it up to the favourite. Jason Watson replaces Oisin Murphy in the plate here, with the champion otherwise engaged at Leopardstown. William Muir has spoken glowingly about Breacher and having landed a Salisbury maiden on his first start, he ran a solid third in Group 3 company.
That form entitles him to hit the frame here. Ballydoyle raider Sergei Diaghilev looks the pick of the remainder, with Rosberg and Silver Dominion also in situ. More Thunder drops back to seven furlongs in a strong-looking Group 2 Betfred Park Stakes at 2.55pm. The William Haggas-trained five-year-old has been running with credit at the top table all season and this dip back in class and distance should see him hard to beat under Tom Marquand.
Never So Brave landed a first Group 1 victory last season but has failed to fire this season, while the same applies to last year’s Middle Park victor Wise Approach. Ralph Beckett’s 2025 Sussex Stakes winner Qirat ran another fine race in defeat when chasing home Zavateri at Goodwood and cannot be ruled out, while Flora Of Bermuda and Volterra complete the shortlist. Berkshire Regal locks horns with Hmas Perth in the opening 1.10pm British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes, worth £25,770 to the winner. Ed Dunlop won this race last year and will be eyeing further success in it, with Beloved Country his representative.
Never miss a story with all the latest racing news, interviews and features on your phone. Find out more A typically competitive Betfred Portland (2.20pm) sees Getreadytorumble and Twilight Calls towards the top of the market. The team surrounding the latter have already tasted success at this year’s Festival, with Speed Of Sound soaring to success in Thursday’s opener. Bullet Point tops a field of 17 assembled for a strong renewal of the Pertemps Network Handicap, although Moonfall is also likely to attract support for the popular George Boughey and Billy Loughnane combination.
The day begins with top-quality action from Australia. Sir Delius (formerly Delius) takes on Sheza Alibi in a classy looking Grade 1 Crown Makybe Diva Stakes. Back on home soil, Solar Edge and Kylian do battle in Lingfield’s feature – the Free Race Replays On attheraces.com Handicap at 4pm. Woodbine plays host to top-class action in the evening, headlined by Notable Speech taking on Archivist and company in the feature Woodbine Mile at 10.20pm.
Just 35 minutes later, Diamond Rain, Sea The Fire and Jancis all hold good chances in the E. P. Taylor Stakes.
