Joseph O'Brien stands between his father Aidan and an unprecedented fourth consecutive St Leger success at Doncaster this weekend.
O'Brien snr seems to have found the winning formula for the fifth and final Classic of the season in recent years, so much so that only John Scott -- victorious in this race 16 times through the 19th century -- can claim more Leger winners than the nine that have fallen the way of the Ballydoyle maestro.
As the race celebrates its 250th birthday on Saturday, Aidan closes in on a piece of history of his own, bidding to become only the second-ever trainer to rack up 10 wins in the Town Moor showpiece.
His son, Joseph, rode Leading Light to Leger glory for Aidan in 2013, but now as a trainer, he saddles the biggest danger his father's trio of runners this year.
Heading up Joseph's two-pronged Leger attack is the rapidly improving Enceladus, fresh off the back of a hat-trick of successes at Cork, Ascot and Goodwood. The second of those, coming at the Royal meeting in June, was a marked upgrade on anything that he had done before and he showed that there was plenty more to give when landing the Gordon Stakes next time out.
Man of the moment Billy Loughnane takes the ride; connections acting quickly to secure the services of the champion jockey-elect.
Battling the Sea The Stars colt for favouritism is Christmas Day.
The three-year-old arrives here with a huge pedigree after landing the Epsom Derby back in June and, should he win again this weekend, will become the first horse since Reference Point in 1987 to pull of the Derby-Leger double.
Rain softened ground combined with an extra two-and-half-furlongs should be right up his street.
While he is undoubtedly the Ballydoyle first string, they also chuck Pierre Bonnard into the mix, aiming to get his first win on the board in 2026. A Grade 1 winner at two, he has been highly tried in his Classic year, contesting a Derby, Irish Derby and Great Voltigeur, running with credit, but failing to enter the pass the post in front.
Connections have resisted the urge to reach for headgear for the mount Wayne Lordan.
St Leger confirmed runners
- Action
- Alderman
- Christmas Day
- Enceladus
- Galiyan
- Golden Story
- Hatteen
- Highwayman
- Pierre Bonnard
- Rebel Rocker
- Amelia Earhart
St Leger betting odds
(Odds will display when market is available)
Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.
