Hollie Doyle's Blog: Supporting Pierre Bonnard for Aidan O'Brien's Tenth St. Leger Victory

Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador, Hollie Doyle, is gearing up for the 250th running of the St. Leger at Doncaster this Saturday, with a thrilling undercard also on the schedule and live coverage on Sky Sports Racing.

She also takes a quick look at the action coming up at Leopardstown. The big question on everyone’s mind is who, if anyone, can stand in the way of Aidan O'Brien as he chases a historic tenth win in the world’s oldest Classic, the Betfred St. Leger Stakes (3.35) at Doncaster.

O'Brien has entered four runners to mark the race’s quarter‑centenary, and the market‑favorite among them is Christmas Day. The colt is aiming to become the first Derby winner to add the St. Leger to his résumé since Reference Point did it 39 years ago. A strong contender to upset the Ballydoyle party is Joseph O'Brien’s Enceladus.

The son of Aidan O'Brien will be looking to make a statement with the impressive three‑year‑old, who is stepping up to Group One level for the first time after impressive performances in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Group Three Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. While many will be watching the favourite, I am convinced that O'Brien’s chances of completing the ten‑win feat rest not with Christmas Day but with the sturdy stablemate Pierre Bonnard.

Pierre Bonnard finished ahead of Christmas Day in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month, proving he possesses the stamina required for the longer St. Leger test.

The race will give him the platform to write his own piece of history. --- **Other Highlights on the Card** *Gentle Hurricane* broke his novice win record when he chased home Haffner in the Group Three Acomb Stakes at York last month. He should be able to improve on that effort in the Betfred Champagne Stakes (1.45) at Doncaster on Saturday.

Andrew Balding’s colt will be right at home over seven furlongs in this Group Two, and his prior experience should serve him well in an open renewal. *Desert Castle* burst onto the scene with a striking debut at the July Course in Newmarket, propelling him to the front of the 2,000 Guineas betting. However, the step up in class for the Champagne Stakes is considerable, and it raises questions about how he will cope with stronger competition. *Breacher* is another horse to watch.

Trained by Willie Muir and Chris Grassick, the colt earned a promising third place in the Group Three Solario Stakes at Sandown, a performance that justifies his inclusion in the higher‑grade race. --- **Sky Sports Racing’s Upcoming Features** - Windsor’s flat‑season finale will headline Monday’s broadcast. - St. Leger: Saffie Osborne makes history after a tearful victory at Doncaster.

- Touleen takes on Forty Years On at Doncaster. - Betfred St. Leger: Saffie Osborne becomes the first woman to win a British Classic as Highwayman captures the Doncaster feature. - Desert Castle is priced at 6/1 for the 2,000 Guineas after his Champagne Stakes win at Doncaster.

--- **Group Two Betfred Park Stakes (2.55) – Seven‑Furlong Sprint** More Thunder has struggled in top‑mile contests this year, but the return to seven furlongs in the Group Two Betfred Park Stakes on Saturday could see him back in the winner’s enclosure. He fell short of staying the distance after his victory in the Prix Jacques le Marois last month, and a strongly run seven‑furlong trip should suit his speed.

*Qirat*, who produced a massive effort to finish second in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood, will likely set a relentless, end‑to‑end tempo. *Witness Stand* will also be in the mix, but my husband Tom Marquand’s mount has the class to outstay them both. At longer odds, I’m keen on Kevin Ryan’s *Volterra*, who is making his first start since being gelded.

It’s a bold move to drop him straight into a race of this calibre after a second‑place finish to Docklands at Doncaster in March, but his recent form suggests he could deliver a big performance. --- **Betfred Portland Handicap (2.20) – A Tough Puzzle** The Portland Handicap on Saturday is notoriously difficult to predict, yet I think Jack Channon’s *GETREADYTORUMBLE* has a real chance.

The four‑year‑old has handled tough assignments in both Listed and Group company this year and proved his versatility with a win in a five‑furlong sprint at Ascot in July, beating all but one rival. He will need to overcome a career‑high rating to claim victory, but his class gives him an edge.

I slightly favour him over last year’s winner *Eternal Sunshine*, who looks likely to make another bold bid under a 5‑pound claimer for Laura Young. Both horses have shown good form at Hamilton, and *Toca Madera* also deserves a look after a series of near‑misses at Goodwood and York. --- **Leopardstown – Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (5.00)** The Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown promises a blockbuster showdown, with the first three finishers from last month’s Juddmonte International likely to clash again.

*Item*, who turned the tables on *Almaqam* in that dramatic duel, must prove his ability on Leopardstown’s firmer ground. Aidan O’Brien’s *CONSTITUTION RIVER* will be looking to silence his doubters after a lackluster run on the Knavesmire. Though he was beaten in the French Derby and Eclipse, a better trip and a more settled ride from Ryan Moore could reveal his true potential.

*Almaqam* earned huge credit for narrowly missing the International win, and Leopardstown’s surface should suit his turn of foot. The faster the pace, the better for Kieran Shoemark’s likeable colt.

--- **Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes (3.55) – Blue Bolt’s Quest** I see no reason why Andrew Balding can’t extend his summer dominance with *BLUE BOLT* in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown. Unbeaten in four starts this year, the filly is poised to claim a third Group‑level victory by confirming her superiority over Aidan O’Brien’s *Precise*, who has finished behind her in both the Falmouth Stakes and the Prix Rothschild. While O’Brien may try to control the race with *Precise* and *True Love* well‑drawn, I still expect Blue Bolt to prevail.

Last year’s winner *Fallen Angel* also remains a threat, having beaten Juddmonte’s star filly in the Sun Chariot Stakes and should not be discounted on ground that will likely suit her. --- **Conclusion** The St. Leger weekend offers a blend of historic milestones, emerging talent, and seasoned campaigners all vying for glory.

Whether it is Pierre Bonnard delivering Aidan O’Brien’s tenth Classic triumph, or the under‑card horses stepping up to prove their mettle, the racing calendar is packed with intrigue. Keep an eye on the key races mentioned above, and enjoy the drama that only top‑level flat racing can provide.