Enceladus steps up to meet the Ballydoyle pair Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard in the newest edition of the St Leger, marking the 250th running of this historic Group 1 contest. The race promises a thrilling showdown, with Aidan O'Brien and his son Joseph O'Brien expected to dominate a field of eleven runners.
Joseph O'Brien, who claimed victory in this race aboard Galileo Chrome back in 2020, now has a strong chance of repeating that success with Enceladus. The colt, a son of the legendary Sea The Stars, has shown steady improvement with each outing. His recent win in the King George V Stakes at the Royal meeting highlighted his growing stamina and class. A preparatory victory in the Gordon Stakes further cemented his credentials, and he may head off the market as the favourite under the guidance of Billy Loughnane.
Aidan O'Brien, a nine‑time champion trainer, will have four runners in the mix. Among them, Derby winner Christmas Day is a serious contender, now partnered with jockey Ronan Whelan. The horse performed admirably on a wet track at Epsom, so any rain on race day could play to his strengths. He also receives a five‑pound weight allowance compared to stablemate Pierre Bonnard, who finished ahead of him at York.
Pierre Bonnard, who was runner‑up in the Great Voltigeur Stakes, should appreciate the extra distance of the St Leger after being beaten by the Arc hopeful Maltese Cross. Another intriguing entry is the filly Amelia Earhart, a talented but unconventional prospect.
She showed signs of resurgence when she placed second in a Group 3 at Cork, yet the St Leger represents a significant step up in class and distance for her. Among the remaining runners, Andrew Balding’s pair Galiyan and Hatteen offer solid each‑way possibilities. Saffie Osborne will take the ride on Joseph O'Brien’s second string, Highwayman, adding further depth to the O’Brien contingent.
Turning to the Group 2 Betfred Champagne Stakes, the headline act is Desert Castle, the 2000 Guineas favourite. Trained by Charlie Appleby, the Frankel‑sired colt burst onto the scene with a dominant win at Newmarket last month.
He will line up under Billy Loughnane, who is eager to add more victories to his record and keep Oisín Murphy at bay in the jockeys’ championship race. Other notable mentions include Gentle Hurricane, who impressed on debut and then finished second in the Acomb Stakes.
He now enjoys a favourable market position, with Jason Watson stepping in for Oisín Murphy in this race while the champion jockey is otherwise engaged at Leopardstown. William Muir has spoken highly of Breacher, a horse that claimed a maiden at Salisbury on debut and later finished a respectable third in Group 3 company. That form justifies giving him a shot at the prize. Ballydoyle’s Sergei Diaghilev appears the top pick among the remaining entries, with Rosberg and Silver Dominion also listed as viable options.
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 been a consistent performer throughout the season.
A step down in class and distance should make him a tough competitor under 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.
Both are likely to be overlooked by punters. Ralph Beckett’s Qirat, the 2025 Sussex Stakes winner, produced a solid performance when chasing home Zavateri at Goodwood, suggesting he could still be a factor. He joins Flora Of Bermuda and Volterra in the shortlist of hopefuls.
The opening 1.10 pm race, the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes, offers a £25,770 purse. Berkshire Regal will face Hmas Perth, with Ed Dunlop, the previous year’s winning trainer, looking to repeat his success through his runner Beloved Country.
The Betfred Portland at 2.20 pm promises a competitive field, with Getreadytorumble and Twilight Calls among the market leaders. Twilight Calls benefits from a team that already tasted Festival success, highlighted by Speed Of Sound’s victory in Thursday’s opening race. The Pertemps Network Handicap assembles 17 runners, with Bullet Point heading the market.
Moonfall also draws support, especially from the popular George Boughey‑Billy Loughnane partnership. The day’s programme kicks off with top‑class action from Australia.
Sir Delius (formerly simply Delius) will contest the Grade 1 Crown Makybe Diva Stakes against Sheza Alibi, offering an international flavor to the meeting. Back in the UK, Solar Edge and Kylian will clash in the Lingfield feature – the Free Race Replays On attheraces.com Handicap at 4 pm, providing a solid middle‑day contest.
The evening shifts to Canada, where Woodbine hosts a marquee showdown. Notable Speech will take on Archivist and others in the Woodbine Mile at 10.20 pm, followed shortly by the E.P. Taylor Stakes featuring Diamond Rain, Sea The Fire and Jancis, each with strong chances.
Overall, the 250th St Leger and its supporting races present a rich tapestry of talent, from seasoned Group‑level stars to emerging prospects eager to make a name. Whether you are backing the O’Brien family’s strong contingent, spotting value in the under‑cards, or simply enjoying the spectacle of top‑flight racing, the meeting promises excitement from start to finish.