Hollie Doyle, our resident racing ambassador, shares her insights from Town Moor, breaking down the key contests at the Betfred St Leger Festival, including the Doncaster Cup, the Flying Childers, and the Flying Scotsman. The headline attraction this Friday is the Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup Stakes (3:00) at Doncaster, where the odds are hanging in the balance over the highly‑rated Caballo De Mar. Aidan O'Brien, who hasn’t claimed the marathon title since Honolulu’s triumph in 2008 – a full year after Septimus delivered his solitary win in this historic race – appears ready to break that 18‑year drought.
While O'Brien’s Ballydoyle stable has been waiting for a fresh success, the spotlight now turns to Queenstown, a six‑year‑old gelding sired by the legendary Galileo. After a convincing Group Three victory at The Curragh under Ryan Moore last month, Queenstown is looking to avenge a loss to Caballo De Mar in the previous autumn’s Prix du Cadran. The conditions at Doncaster – a testing, stamina‑testing Group Two – suit his profile perfectly, and Doyle believes the horse has the class to turn the tables. George Scott’s likely favorite also commands attention.
With two Group One victories already on his record, he is a proven performer, yet his recent outings in the Gold Cup and the Lonsdale Cup at York were puzzling, as he faded quickly after a strong start. Doyle notes that while the Doncaster Cup is fundamentally a test of endurance, the race will also reward a horse that can settle and sustain a steady rhythm throughout the extended distance. Switching gears to sprinting, the Group Two Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes (2:25) over five furlongs showcases pure speed.
Richard Hannon’s Pershaada, a daughter of Persian Force owned by Middleham Park Racing, is highlighted as a standout. Pershaada impressed in the Group Three Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood, pulling away from a quality field that included the subsequent Listed winner Sale Shark. Although she struggled against older, more seasoned sprinters in the Nunthorpe at York, Doyle feels she will be back to her best when paired with the talented Sean Levey, who can extract a sharp, tactical run from her.
Aidan O'Brien’s Carry The Flag, often overlooked, is another horse to watch. The colt set a strong tempo in the Group One Prix Morny at Deauville, finishing only two lengths behind on soft ground. Doyle suggests that his proven ability to handle a brisk pace could make him a dangerous contender over the minimum distance of the Flying Childers.
In the Listed Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes (1:15) on Friday, Forgotten Fire, a filly trained by Andrew Balding, is poised for a step up in class. Doyle was impressed by her debut win in a Salisbury novice race and believes she will adapt smoothly to the longer trip.
Bred by Jeff Smith, Forgotten Fire is a half‑sister to Group winners See The Fire and Venetian Prince, and out of the Juddmonte International champion Arabian Queen, giving her a pedigree that promises both stamina and turn‑of‑foot. Godolphin’s Nabati is another contender that should attract punters.
His sole defeat came in a narrow loss when he challenged Arapaho Gold in the Listed Rose Bowl at Newbury, a race that Michael Dods’ colt subsequently won the Gimcrack. Doyle expects Nabati to be competitive as he steps up in grade. Charlie Appleby’s son of Night Of Thunder, entered in the Group One Middle Park, remains a mystery, but Doyle senses that Forbidden Fire could ignite the Town Moor turf with a strong finish. The British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (3:35) promises a tightly contested finish.
Doyle points to Ralph Beckett’s Nochebuena as a standout. After a novice win over the same course and distance in June, Nochebuena narrowly missed holding on in a strong fillies’ race at Ascot, a contest won by Hoseki. That near‑miss suggests she can improve with a modest weight increase, making her a serious threat for the handicap.
A second option in the same race is Marco Botti’s Golden Muse, a filley who showed promise on turf earlier in the year after a successful stint on the all‑weather surface at Wolverhampton. While still early in her turf career, her previous performances hint at a potential breakthrough. The Betfred Leger Legends Classified Stakes (1:50) will see former stars return to the track, generating excitement among the racing community. Doyle predicts that recently retired jockey Joe Fanning will be a fan favourite.
Fanning, who concluded an illustrious riding career this summer, will partner Joe Parr’s Wield, a horse that finished strongly over a mile at Southwell. If Wield can replicate that late surge on turf, he may secure a victory on his eighth attempt.
Sammy Joe Bell, a three‑time winner of this event, is also in the mix, likely to be paired with the Michael Herrington‑trained Anthropologist, another All‑Weather performer with a proven record at Doncaster. Since its inception in 2010, the Leger Legends Classified Stakes has captured the public’s imagination, raising over £1 million for the Injured Jockeys’ Fund. Doyle emphasizes the importance of the race, noting the dedication of the jockeys who voluntarily ride and the countless staff working behind the scenes to make the event possible. In an interview with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, Doyle offered these perspectives, underscoring the blend of tradition, talent, and tenacity that defines the festival.
For fans eager to follow every moment, the Betfred St Leger Festival will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 512) from Thursday through Sunday, ensuring that the drama of Town Moor reaches a worldwide audience.