Monday 7th September 2026 – 12 entries remained at the five-day stage for the Betfred St Leger (G1) this Saturday, as Doncaster prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the world’s oldest Classic which is worth £700,000 this year.
Those entries are headlined by the Betfred Derby (G1) winner Christmas Day who is one of five entries for Aidan O’Brien who is chasing a historic 10th win in this 1m6f event. Another of Ballydoyle’s entries include Pierre Bonnard who produced a much more encouraging effort when runner-up in the SkyBet Great Voltigeur Stakes (G2) at York. Amelia Earheart, Piazza San Marco, Action complete O’Brien’s list of entries.
Aidan’s son, Joseph O’Brien, won the Betfred St Leger back in 2020 with Galileo Chrome and his colt Enceladus has won all three of his starts this year. He has improved with each start winning at both Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood.
Stablemate Highwayman has improved markedly since being stepped up in trip to middle distances, including when a decisive winner of the Irish EBF Vinnie Roe Stakes (Listed).
Hatteen was beaten just a head in a competitive handicap over 1m4f at Glorious Goodwood. He was a comfortable 4 & ¼-length winner of the Betfred St Leger Trial Novices Stakes at Doncaster back in July.
Balding has never won the Betfred St Leger before and could be doubly represented in his bid to break his duck in this contest as he has left Galiyan in at the five-day stage.
Balding said: “Hatteen is making use of the free entry from winning the ‘Win and You’re In’ race at Doncaster earlier in the year. I thought he ran very well at Goodwood in a strong handicap. He has improved with each start. 1m6f will be a question mark but if he stays, he’s going in the right direction to run a really good race.”
He added: “Stamina should not be an issue for Galiyan. He ran very well in the Bahrain Trophy, and I am hoping we can leave the York run behind us. On the strength of his homework, he could be competitive again and he is a likely contender on the strength of his previous form. We’re looking forward to running them both.”
Alderman has been left in the race by Richard Hannon, who is another top trainer looking to end his St Leger hoodoo.
He said: “We were delighted with Alderman’s run in The Betfred Derby. This has been the target all year since that run. The ground was much too firm when he ran in the Bahrain Trophy. He came back a little jarred up but he’s had plenty of time since then.”
Hannon added: “His owner, Julie Wood, has been behind the whole idea and we’re very excited about it.”
Karl Burke’s Golden Story and Faye Bramley’s Rebel Rocker complete the list of 12 entries.
Latest Betfred St Leger odds: Christmas Day 7/4f, Enceladus 9/4, Pierre Bonnard 11/4, Hatteen 12/1, Highwayman 12/1, BAR 25/1
The unbeaten Godolphin-owned pair of Desert Castle and Rock Montreal are among 13 high-class entries for the Betfred Champagne Stakes (G2) worth £150,000.
13 entries have also been received for the Betfred Park Stakes (G2) worth £165,000 including Flora Of Bermuda, Never So Brave and Copacabana Sands who all represent the Andrew Balding yard who have won two out of the last three renewals of this 7f contest.
For the very first time, the Betfred St Leger will make its debut as a World Pool race and be part of a blockbuster Saturday of the global pools alongside races on the opening day of the Irish Champions Festival and Makybe Diva Stakes day in Australia.
Rachel Harwood, Executive Director at Doncaster Racecourse, said: “We are all very excited for this weekend's 250th Betfred St Leger Stakes. The race is shaping up to be another cracker with a host of entries from some top yards, including this year's Betfred Derby winner Christmas Day.
"Ticket sales have been very positive in the lead-up to Saturday and we're expecting a packed crowd ahead of what will be a historic occasion on Town Moor."
David Attwood, Clerk of The Course at Doncaster Racecourse, said: “We have had approximately 45mm of rain in the last 10 days which has brought the track alive. The grass is looking in superb shape after a busy summer and all the work we have done throughout the year is really paying off.
He added: “There is a predominantly dry forecast through the week with the threat of an odd shower. If we stay dry then I would think that GOOD would come in to the description somewhere, but any further rain might prevent that from happening. I can see us starting with a combination of GOOD and GOOD to SOFT. Leger Day itself is currently set to be a mainly dry day with temperatures approx. 20-21C.”
