Enceladus steps up to face the Ballydoyle pair Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard in the newest edition of the St Leger, marking the race’s 250th running. The Group 1 Betfred St Leger promises a thrilling contest, with Aidan O'Brien and his son Joseph O'Brien expected to dominate a field of eleven contenders. Joseph O'Brien, who piloted Galileo Chrome to victory in this race back in 2020, now has a strong chance of repeating history with Enceladus. The son of the legendary Sea The Stars has shown steady improvement with each outing, most recently capturing the King George V at the Royal meeting.
After a convincing win in the Gordon Stakes, Enceladus arrives as the market favourite, ridden by Billy Loughnane, and appears well‑placed to take on the seasoned Ballydoyle runners. Aidan O'Brien, a nine‑time champion trainer, will have four runners in the mix, headlined by the Derby‑winner Christmas Day, who is now under the guidance of jockey Ronan Whelan. The colt has proven his mettle on soft ground, having triumphed at Epsom in wet conditions, and will carry five pounds less than his stablemate Pierre Bonnard, who finished ahead of him at York.
Bonnard, a runner‑up in the Great Voltigeur, should appreciate the added distance after being beaten by the Arc hopeful Maltese Cross. Among the other entries, the talented filly Amelia Earhart offers a quirky but promising option. After a runner‑up finish in a Group 3 at Cork, she looks to be returning to form, although the St Leger represents a significant step up in class. Andrew Balding’s pair Galiyan and Hatteen are considered solid each‑way bets, while Saffie Osborne will take the reins on Joseph O'Brien’s second string, Highwayman.
Switching focus to the Group 2 Betfred Champagne Stakes, the headline act is the 2000 Guineas favourite Desert Castle, a Frankel colt trained by Charlie Appleby. After a dominant win at Newmarket last month, Desert Castle will be guided once more by Billy Loughnane, who is eager to add more victories and keep Oisín Murphy at bay in the jockeys’ championship race. Gentle Hurricane, who impressed on debut and then placed second in the Acomb Stakes, is another contender to watch. Jason Watson will replace Oisín Murphy for this race, as Murphy is otherwise engaged at Leopardstown.
William Muir has spoken highly of Breacher, who claimed a Salisbury maiden on debut and then ran a respectable third in Group 3 company, earning a spot in this contest. Ballydoyle’s Sergei Diaghilev looks to be the standout among the remaining runners, with Rosberg and Silver Dominion also in the mix.
In the Group 2 Betfred Park Stakes at 2.55 pm, More Thunder drops back to seven furlongs. Trained by William Haggas, the five‑year‑old has consistently performed at the top level this season, and the dip in class and distance should make him a tough opponent for Tom Marquand. Never So Brave, a Group 1 winner from last season, has yet to find form this year, as has last year’s Middle Park victor Wise Approach.
Ralph Beckett’s Qirat, the 2025 Sussex Stakes winner, ran a fine race in defeat when chasing Zavateri at Goodwood and remains a threat. Flora Of Bermuda and Volterra round out the shortlist.
In the opening 1.10 pm British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes, Berkshire Regal will clash with Hmas Perth for a purse of £25,770. Ed Dunlop, who won the race last year, will be looking for another success with his representative Beloved Country.
The Betfred Portland at 2.20 pm offers a competitive field, with Getreadytorumble and Twilight Calls among the market favourites. Twilight Calls benefits from a team that has already tasted success at this year’s Festival, highlighted by Speed Of Sound’s victory in Thursday’s opener. Bullet Point leads a field of seventeen in the Pertemps Network Handicap, while Moonfall is expected to attract support for the popular George Boughey‑Billy Loughnane partnership.
The day’s action begins with top‑class racing from Australia, where Sir Delius (formerly Delius) takes on Sheza Alibi in the Grade 1 Crown Makybe Diva Stakes. Back in the UK, Solar Edge and Kylian will contest Lingfield’s featured handicap at 4 pm, streamed live on attheraces.com. The evening shifts to Woodbine, where the Woodbine Mile at 10.20 pm will see Notable Speech face Archivist and others.
Just thirty‑five minutes later, the E.P. Taylor Stakes will feature Diamond Rain, Sea The Fire and Jancis, each with strong chances. Overall, the 250th St Leger promises a blend of seasoned champions and rising stars, with Enceladus positioned as a serious contender against the experienced Ballydoyle duo. The surrounding races across the card provide a rich tapestry of talent, ensuring a day of high‑quality racing for fans worldwide.