Enceladus will line up against the Ballydoyle partnership of Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard in the much‑anticipated 250th running of the Group 1 Betfred St Leger. The race promises a high‑class showdown, with Aidan O'Brien and his son Joseph O'Brien expected to dominate a field of eleven runners.
Joseph O'Brien captured this race back in 2020 aboard Galileo Chrome, and he now has a superb opportunity to repeat that success with Enceladus. The son of the legendary Sea The Stars has shown steady improvement with each start, most notably when he triumphed in the King George V at the Royal meeting. Enceladus sharpened his form in the Gordon Stakes, a convincing victory that positions him as a market favourite under the guidance of trainer Billy Loughnane.
Aidan O'Brien, a nine‑time champion trainer, will have four runners in the contest. Among them, Derby winner Christmas Day is a major contender, now partnered with jockey Ronan Whelan. The horse performed brilliantly on a wet track at Epsom, so any rain on race day could play to his strengths.
Moreover, Christmas Day will receive a five‑pound weight allowance thanks to stablemate Pierre Bonnard, who actually finished ahead of him at York. Pierre Bonnard, who was runner‑up in the Great Voltigeur, should benefit from the added 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 runner. She showed signs of resurgence when she placed second in a Group 3 at Cork, but the St Leger represents a substantial step up from that level.
The remaining runners also merit attention. Andrew Balding’s pair Galiyan and Hatteen are solid each‑way options, while Saffie Osborne will be aboard Joseph O'Brien’s second string, Highwayman. In the Group 2 Betfred Champagne Stakes, the headline act is Desert Castle, the 2000 Guineas favourite, trained by Charlie Appleby.
The Frankel‑blood colt burst onto the scene with a dominant win at Newmarket last month and will be ridden again by Billy Loughnane, who is eager to add more victories and keep Oisín Murphy at bay in the jockeys’ championship race. Sky Sports Racing continues to deliver the latest horse‑racing news, interviews and features. Gentle Hurricane, after a debut win and a second‑place finish in the Acomb Stakes, is now positioned as a serious contender.
Jason Watson will replace Oisín Murphy on this mount, while Murphy himself is engaged in a top‑level race at Leopardstown. William Muir has spoken glowingly about Breacher, who claimed a Salisbury maiden on debut and then ran a respectable third in Group 3 company. That form suggests he could be competitive in this race.
Among the Ballydoyle contingent, Sergei Diaghilev looks the most promising, 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 been a consistent performer this season, and the dip in class and distance should make him a tough nut to crack under Tom Marquand. Last season’s Group 1 winner Never So Brave has yet to find form this year, and the same can be said of Wise Approach, the previous year’s Middle Park victor.
However, Ralph Beckett’s 2025 Sussex Stakes winner Qirat produced a strong run when chasing Zavateri at Goodwood and remains a threat. Flora Of Bermuda and Volterra round out the shortlist of contenders. The opening 1.10 pm British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes, worth £25,770 to the winner, will see Berkshire Regal clash with Hmas Perth.
Ed Dunlop, who trained the winner last year, will be looking for another success with his representative Beloved Country. Fans can stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing stories, interviews and features on their mobile devices, ensuring they never miss a beat. The Betfred Portland at 2.20 pm promises a competitive field, with Getreadytorumble and Twilight Calls among the market leaders.
The team behind Twilight Calls has already tasted Festival success, with Speed Of Sound winning Thursday’s opening race. Bullet Point heads a 17‑horse field in the Pertemps Network Handicap, while Moonfall is likely to attract support from the popular George Boughey‑Billy Loughnane partnership.
The day will also feature top‑quality action from Australia, where Sir Delius (formerly Delius) will take on Sheza Alibi in the Grade 1 Crown Makybe Diva Stakes. Back in the UK, Solar Edge and Kylian will contest the Free Race Replays On at the Attheraces.com Handicap at Lingfield at 4 pm.
In Canada, Woodbine will host an evening of elite racing, highlighted by Notable Speech versus Archivist in the Woodbine Mile at 10.20 pm. Just 35 minutes later, the E.P.
Taylor Stakes will see Diamond Rain, Sea The Fire and Jancis all in strong contention. Overall, the 250th St Leger offers a blend of proven Group 1 talent, rising stars, and seasoned campaigners, making it a must‑watch event for racing enthusiasts worldwide.