Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle is gearing up for the 250th running of the St Leger at Doncaster this Saturday, a meeting that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. In her column she highlights the key contenders, offers insights into the undercard, and even takes a quick look at the action coming up at Leopardstown later in the week. The central question on everyone’s mind is who, if anyone, can stand in the way of Aidan O'Brien’s quest for a historic tenth triumph in the world’s oldest Classic – the Betfred St Leger Stakes (3.35) at Doncaster.
O'Brien has entered four runners to celebrate the race’s quarter‑century milestone, the most prominent of which is the hot favourite Christmas Day. The colt is aiming to become the first Derby winner to capture the St Leger since Reference Point achieved the double 39 years ago, a feat that would cement his place in the annals of British flat racing. The most likely challenger to O'Brien’s dominance appears to be his own son, Joseph O'Brien, who has entered the impressive Enceladus.
The three‑year‑old is stepping up to Group One level for the first time after a string of strong performances, notably a win in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot and a solid showing in the Group Three Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. Enceladus’s blend of stamina and turn of foot makes him a credible threat, but Hollie believes the O'Brien stable has the depth to see another victory. In her view, the real horse that could deliver O'Brien’s tenth St Leger win is not Christmas Day but the tough, versatile Pierre Bonnard. The colt finished ahead of Christmas Day in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month, proving he possesses the staying power required for the St Leger’s demanding distance.
Pierre Bonnard is a proven stayer who thrives when the race stretches beyond the mile and a half, and Hollie argues that the extra test of stamina will play to his strengths and allow him to write his own piece of history for the Ballydoyle yard. Turning to the undercard, Hollie notes that Gentle Hurricane, after a dominant novice win, was only a length behind Haffner in the Group Three Acomb Stakes at York. The colt is now aimed at the Betfred Champagne Stakes (1.45) at Doncaster, a Group Two sprint over seven furlongs that should suit his speed and allow him to build on his recent form.
Trained by Andrew Balding, Gentle Hurricane will be familiar with the Doncaster track and could use his experience to make a strong showing in the open renewal. Potential favourite Desert Castle made a big splash on debut at the July Course in Newmarket, briefly becoming the market leader for the 2,000 Guineas. However, the step up to Group level in the St Leger is considerable, and questions remain about whether his early promise will translate to the longer distance and tougher competition. Willie Muir and Chris Grassick have entered Breacher, who earned a promising third place in the Group Three Solario Stakes at Sandown.
That performance grants him a place in the conversation for the St Leger, and Hollie feels his upward trajectory makes him one to watch. In the weekend’s handicap races, Hollie backs Almekarem for a win at Newbury on Saturday, with Stem also considered a solid contender.
She also highlights Arapaho Gold, unbeaten for Michael Dods, as a likely victor in the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury. The Sky Sports Racing schedule is packed: Spy Chief and Catullus clash at Newbury, while Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton will be featured on Friday. The racing round‑up includes Almeraq’s return to Ascot for Champions Day, and a series of meetings at Yarmouth featuring Deep Havana, Pilu, and Fairy Glen in the John Musker Fillies’ Stakes. More Thunder, who has struggled in top‑mile races this year, could find his niche in the Group Two Betfred Park Stakes (2.55) over seven furlongs on Saturday.
After winning the Prix Jacques le Marois last month, he may not have been able to stay the longer distance, but a strongly run seven‑furlong test should suit his speed and allow him to re‑enter the winners’ enclosure. Qirat, who was a close second in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood, is expected to produce a hard‑galloping effort, with Witness Stand also in the mix.
Hollie’s husband Tom Marquand rides a mount that she believes has the class to outfinish both rivals. At longer odds, Kevin Ryan’s Volterra is an intriguing pick for a big run on his first start since being gelded. He is being thrown straight into a high‑class contest after a second‑place finish to Docklands at the same track in March, and Hollie thinks the step up could pay dividends.
The Betfred Portland Handicap (2.20) on Saturday presents a tough puzzle, but Hollie leans towards Jack Channon’s GETREADYTORUMBLE. The four‑year‑old has shown resilience in both Listed and Group company this season and performed well in a five‑furlong sprint at Ascot in July, beating all but one rival.
To win this competitive handicap, he will need to surpass his career‑high rating, but his class gives her confidence. She slightly favors GETREADYTORUMBLE over last year’s winner Eternal Sunshine, who will be carrying a modest 5‑pound claim under trainer Laura Young. Both horses have shown recent form, with Eternal Sunshine picking up a win at Hamilton and Toca Madera, a personal favourite, seeking a big handicap victory after a series of near‑misses at Goodwood and York. Looking ahead to Leopardstown, the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (5.00) on Saturday promises a thrilling showdown.
The top three finishers from last month’s Juddmonte International – Item, Almaqam, and Aidan O’Brien’s Constitution River – are set to clash again, this time on a firmer surface. Item, who reversed the order with Almaqam in that dramatic duel, will need to prove his versatility on the stiffer Leopardstown track. Constitution River, still under scrutiny after a lackluster run on the Knavesmire, will be looking to silence his critics. If Ryan Moore can settle him better, the colt could showcase his true ability.
Almaqam earned high praise for his near‑miss in the International and will aim to confirm that his performance was no fluke. The softer ground at Leopardstown should suit him, and a faster pace would benefit Kieran Shoemark’s likable colt. Finally, Hollie sees no reason why Andrew Balding’s brilliant BLUE BOLT cannot continue his summer surge in the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes (3.55) at Leopardstown. Unbeaten in four starts this year, Blue Bolt is poised to claim a third Group‑level victory by proving 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, Hollie expects Blue Bolt to prevail. Last year’s winner Fallen Angel, who beat Juddmonte’s star filly in the Sun Chariot, should not be dismissed either, as she will relish the ground that suits her best. The upcoming weekend offers a blend of classic aspirations, promising undercard action, and international intrigue – a perfect showcase for any racing enthusiast.