When Is The St Leger Run
The 2021 St Leger will be run at Doncaster on Saturday 11th September. Why is it called the St Leger? The St Leger is named after Anthony St Leger, an army officer and politician from Doncaster who created the. VRC St Leger Information. The VRC St Leger is a Listed race held at Flemington Racecourse in Victoria each year. The VRC St Leger (2800m) boasts a total prize pool of $200,000 and is for horses aged 3 years-old and is run under set weight conditions.
Pertemps St Leger | |
| Group 1, Doncaster 15:35 £350,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 6f 115y, Class 1 | |
| Saturday 12th September 2020 | |
1 Galileo Chrome 4/1
2 Berkshire Rocco 16/1
3 Pyledriver 9/2
11 ran NR: English King Distances: nk, 1l, shd
Time: 3m 1.94s (fast by 1.06s)
GALILEO CHROME stays on best under @TomMarquand to win the 2020 St Leger at @DoncasterRaces for @JosephOBrien2! pic.twitter.com/GLX0lCKsuZ
— Timeform (@Timeform) September 12, 2020Jockey Tom Marquand discovered he would be riding Joseph O’Brien’s colt barely 24 hours before the big race – after regular jockey Shane Crosse became unavailable because of a positive test for Covid-19.
While Crosse must therefore begin his period of isolation in Ireland, Marquand took his place and prevailed by a neck at 4-1 from 16-1 shot Berkshire Rocco, trained by Andrew Balding.
Pyledriver appeared set to make a bold bid for glory before wandering from a true line out on his own on the far side, eventually finishing third, a length further back. Just behind in fourth was Santiago, who was sent off the 5-2 favourite for Aidan O’Brien and Frankie Dettori.
Marquand, who earlier this year lost the ride on English King to Frankie Dettori before the Derby, said: “My heart goes out to Shane Crosse.
“I can’t say how bad I feel for him because we’ve all been in situations where things haven’t gone our way and we’re both relatively young, so I can relate and he’ll be sat at home in pieces, no doubt.
“I guess in racing it all comes back round. No doubt he’ll have his time and I look forward to seeing him do it.”
He added: “I was told I’d got the ride on this horse just before I rode Sacred in the Flying Childers on Friday.
“It really is a dream come true. Classics in Britain are some of the hardest races to come across. Group One races in Britain are equally hard.
“To have my first Group One winner on UK soil in the St Leger for Joseph O’Brien, who when I as growing up was one of the best jockeys in racing and is now training and doing a similar job – it’s mind-blowing to get an opportunity like this.”
O’Brien, watching from home as a Covid-19 precaution rather than attending Irish Champions Weekend, voiced his congratulations to Marquand – and sympathy and encouragement for Crosse.
He said: “It’s fantastic, a great performance from the horse – very tough, genuine and stayed very well.
“Tom gave him a fantastic ride.
“It’s great for Tom. He’s obviously been riding extremely well for a number of years now all over the world – and when he was available, we didn’t have to look any further.
“It’s very well-deserved.”
As for Crosse, he added: “Shane, I’m sure, is obviously gutted to miss the ride on him.
“But Shane’s a young man, and he’s a very talented rider – and he’ll have plenty of big rides in the future.”
O’Brien was himself adding St Leger victory as a trainer to his success when riding Leading Light at Doncaster for his father Aidan seven years ago, having come within three-quarters of a length of landing the Triple Crown with Camelot in 2012.
Unable to witness the action in person on the track, he said: “I’m at home today – Shane obviously had been in the yard during the week, so just as a precaution any of his close contacts are in the process of being tested, and I just haven’t gone racing to err on the side of caution really.
“But I’m enjoying the racing! I’m lucky enough to be able to watch it from home.”
Balding was thrilled with Berkshire Rocco’s performance.
“He wears his heart on his sleeve,” said the Kingsclere trainer.
“He kept digging in. It wasn’t quite enough, but he’s given us all a big thrill.
“There were no hiding places. We had the run of the race, and no excuses.
“I don’t usually shout – but I did today. It’s a race we all want to win, and we’re getting closer, so we’ll keep going.
“He has got options this season, but we’ll wait a few days before making a decision.”
Berkshire Rocco’s jockey Andrea Atzeni added: “He was very straightforward.
“He got into a nice rhythm and picked up all the way to the line. Unfortunately the winner kept finding a bit more. He’ll be a nice horse next year.”
Martin Dwyer reported the William Muir-trained Pyledriver’s stamina just ran out as he moved up in trip after his Group Two wins over a mile and a half this season.
“He didn’t stay – it was too far,” said the jockey.
“He was over-travelling. After York, I said he could come back to a mile and a quarter. He’s a very honest horse.
“It was unnatural for him. There was a point in the race where I should have been working through the gears and picking up, but I’m having to steady him down.
“Turning in, I thought he’d win – but he was tired in the last furlong. He was out of his comfort zone.”
Santiago (5-2 favourite) and Hukum were both well-fancied, but had to settle for fourth and fifth respectively.
Dettori said of the former: “He wants a bit of cut in the ground.
“He came there to win, but he didn’t level off like I thought he would.
“I felt on softer ground mine would be a better horse.”
Hukum’s trainer Owen Burrows added: “It was just the last furlong and a half.
“He was out on his head a bit. He stayed at Newbury, but in lesser company. In this class it was a bit too far for him.
“We always thought he wasn’t a Cup horse. We’ll look forward to next year.”
Pertemps St Leger Stakes
£700,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 6f 115y, Class 1
11 ran
Going: Good
POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (12) Galileo Chrome 3 9-1 Joseph O'Brien Tom Marquand 4/1
2 (8) nk Berkshire Rocco 3 9-1 Andrew Balding Andrea Atzeni 16/1
3 (4) 1Pyledriver 3 9-1 William Muir Martin Dwyer 9/2
4 (6) shdSantiago 3 9-1 A P O'Brien Frankie Dettori 5/2F
5 (1) 2¾Hukum 3 9-1 Owen Burrows Jim Crowley 7/2
6 (10) 2½Dawn Patrol 3 9-1 A P O'Brien P B Beggy 22/1
7 (5) 1¾Subjectivist 3 9-1 Mark Johnston Joe Fanning 16/1
8 (7) 1¾Sunchart 3 9-1 Andrew Slattery Andrew Slattery 80/1
9 (3) 2Tyson Fury 3 9-1 Richard Spencer Kieran Shoemark 40/1
10 (9) 14Mythical 3 9-1 A P O'Brien Emmet McNamara 66/1
11 (2) 1½Mohican Heights 3 9-1 David Simcock Jamie Spencer 22/1
3 (11) 71-154 English King 3 9-1 Ed Walker Tom Marquand
ST LEGER ROLL OF HONOUR (1946-2014)
Year Horse Trainer Jockey Owner SP Ran
2019 LOGICIAN
2018 KEW GARDENS
2017 CAPRI
2016 HARBOUR LAW Mrs LJ Mongan George Baker Mrs Jackie Cornwell 22/1 8
2015 SIMPLE VERSE Ralph Beckett Andrea Atzeni QRL/Sheikh Suhaim Al Thani/M Al Kubaisi 8/1 7
2014 KINGSTON HILL Roger Varian Andrea Atzeni Paul Smith 9/4F 12
2013 LEADING LIGHT Aidan O’Brien Joseph O’Brien Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor 7/2F 11
2012 ENCKE Mahmood Al Zarooni Mickael Barzalona Godolphin 25/1 9
2011 MASKED MARVEL John Gosden William Buick Bjorn Nielsen 15/2 9
2010 ARCTIC COSMOS John Gosden William Buick Rachel Hood & Robin Geffen 12/1 10
2009 MASTERY Saeed bin Suroor Ted Durcan Godolphin 14/1 8
2008 CONDUIT Sir Michael Stoute Frankie Dettori Ballymacoll Stud 8/1 14
2007 LUCARNO John Gosden Jimmy Fortune George Strawbridge 7/2 10
2006** SIXTIES ICON Jeremy Noseda Frankie Dettori Susan Roy 11/8F 11
2005 SCORPION Aidan O’Brien IRE Frankie Dettori Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor 10/11F 6
2004 RULE OF LAW Saeed bin Suroor Kerrin McEvoy Godolphin 3/1JF 9
2003 BRIAN BORU Aidan O’Brien IRE Jamie Spencer Sue Magnier 5/4F 12
2002 BOLLIN ERIC Tim Easterby Kevin Darley Sir Neil & Lady Westbrook 7/1 8
2001 MILAN Aidan O’Brien IRE Michael Kinane Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier 13/8F 10
2000 MILLENARY John Dunlop Richard Quinn Neil Jones 11/4F 11
1999 MUTAFAWEQ Saeed bin Suroor Richard Hills Godolphin 11/2 9
1998 NEDAWI Saeed bin Suroor John Reid Godolphin 5/2F 9
1997 SILVER PATRIARCH John Dunlop Pat Eddery Peter Winfield 5/4F 10
1996 SHANTOU John Gosden Frankie Dettori Sheikh Mohammed 8/1 11
1995 CLASSIC CLICHE Saeed bin Suroor Frankie Dettori Godolphin 100/30F 10
1994 MOONAX Barry Hills Pat Eddery Sheikh Mohammed 40/1 8
1993 BOB'S RETURN Mark Tompkins Philip Robinson Jackie Smith 3/1F 9
1992 USER FRIENDLY Clive Brittain George Duffield Bill Gredley 7/4F 7
1991 TOULON Andre Fabre FR Pat Eddery Khalid Abdullah 5/2F 10
1990 SNURGE Paul Cole Richard Quinn Martyn Arbib 7/2 8
1989* MICHELOZZO Henry Cecil Steve Cauthen Charles St George 6/4F 8
1988 MINSTER SON Neil Graham Willie Carson Lady Beaverbrook 15/2 6
1987 REFERENCE POINT Henry Cecil Steve Cauthen Louis Freedman 4/11F 7
1986 MOON MADNESS John Dunlop Pat Eddery Duchess of Norfolk 9/2 8
1985 OH SO SHARP Henry Cecil Steve Cauthen Sheikh Mohammed 8/11F 6
1984 COMMANCHE RUN Luca Cumani Lester Piggott Ivan Allan 7/4F 11
1983 SUN PRINCESS Dick Hern Willie Carson Sir Michael Sobell 11/8F 10
1982 TOUCHING WOOD Tom Jones Paul Cook Maktoum Al Maktoum 7/1 15
1981 CUT ABOVE Dick Hern Joe Mercer Sir John Astor 28/1 7
1980 LIGHT CAVALRY Henry Cecil Joe Mercer Jim Joel 3/1 7
1979 SON OF LOVE Robert Collet FR Alain Lequeux A Rolland 20/1 17
1978 JULIO MARINER Clive Brittain Edward Hide Marcos Lemos 28/1 14
1977 DUNFERMLINE Dick Hern Willie Carson The Queen 10/1 13
1976 CROW Angel Penna FR Yves Saint-Martin Daniel Wildenstein 6/1CF 15
1975 BRUNI Ryan Price Tony Murray Charles St George 9/1 12
1974 BUSTINO Dick Hern Joe Mercer Lady Beaverbrook 11/10F 10
1973 PELEID Bill Elsey Frankie Durr Bill Behrens 28/1 13
1972 BOUCHER Vincent O'Brien IRE Lester Piggott Ogden Phipps 3/1 7
1971 ATHENS WOOD Tom Jones Lester Piggott Mrs John Rogerson 5/2 8
1970 NIJINSKY Vincent O'Brien IRE Lester Piggott Charles Engelhard 2/7F 9
1969 INTERMEZZO Harry Wragg Ron Hutchinson Gerry Oldham 7/1 11
1968 RIBERO Fulke Johnson Houghton Lester Piggott Charles Engelhard 100/30 8
1967 RIBOCCO Fulke Johnson Houghton Lester Piggott Charles Engelhard 7/2 9
1966 SODIUM George Todd Frankie Durr R J Sigita 7/1 9
1965 PROVOKE Dick Hern Joe Mercer John Astor 28/1 11
1964 INDIANA Jack Watts Jimmy Lindley Charles Engelhard 100/7 15
1963 RAGUSA Paddy Prendergast IRE Garnet Bougoure Jim Mullion 2/5F 7
1962 HETHERSETT Dick Hern Harry Carr Major Lionel Holliday 100/8 15
1961 AURELIUS Noel Murless Lester Piggott Mrs V Lilley 9/2 13
1960 ST PADDY Noel Murless Lester Piggott Sir Victor Sassoon 4/6F 9
1959 CANTELO Charles Elsey Edward Hide William Hill 100/7 11
1958 ALCIDE Cecil Boyd-Rochfort Harry Carr Sir Humphrey de Trafford 4/9F 8
1957 BALLYMOSS Vincent O’Brien IRE T P Burns Jock McShain 8/1 16
1956 CAMBREMER George Bridgland FR Freddie Palmer R B Strassburger 8/1 13
1955 MELD Cecil Boyd-Rochfort Harry Carr Lady Zia Wernher 10/11F 8
1954 NEVER SAY DIE Joe Lawson Charlie Smirke Robert Sterling Clark 100/30 16
1953 PREMONITION Cecil Boyd-Rochfort Eph Smith W P Wyatt 10/1 11
1952 TULYAR Marcus Marsh Charlie Smirke H H Aga Khan III 10/11F 12
1951 TALMA II Charles Semblat FR Rae Johnstone Marcel Boussac 7/1 18
1950 SCRATCH II Charles Semblat FR Rae Johnstone Marcel Boussac 9/2 15
1949 RIDGE WOOD Noel Murless Michael Beary G R H Smith 100/7 16
1948 BLACK TARQUIN Cecil Boyd-Rochfort Edgar Britt W Woodward 15/2 14
1947 SAYAJIRAO Fred Armstrong Edgar Britt Maharaja Of Baroda 9/2 11
1946 AIRBOURNE Dick Perryman Tommy Lowrey Jock Ferguson 3/1 11
* Run at Ayr
** Run at York
St Leger Stakes Background
The St Leger Stakes is Britain’s oldest classic race and takes place each September at Doncaster racecourse. The final classic of the season is open to both colts and fillies. Raced over 1 mile 6.5 furlongs. It is a supreme test of both stamina and ability for a 3-year-old racehorse.
It’s a race that has lost some of its prestige over the years it is fair to say. Indeed a very serious debate is happening right now regarding breeding in British racing. There is a significant move towards breeding horses with speed these days. Therefore races such as this one and even the Derby itself are somewhat under threat. It’s hard to imagine the Derby losing its place as the leading horse race in Britain. However, each year the St Leger becomes less attractive for owners to win in terms of overall season targets.
It is the final leg of the triple crown, but even that has become almost impossible to win now. Breeding a horse that can win the 2000 Guineas over a mile; the Derby over 12 furlongs; and the St Leger over 16.5 furlongs is an extremely difficult exercise in modern-day horse racing.
Nevertheless, it is still a race to get excited about. It is still a Classic after all.
A significant starting trend
Being a classic, it is a great race for trends. Horses usually take specific routes into classic races and it’s the same here. We start our search for the winner with one significant trend.
- 17/20: Previous Winners had recorded a minimum RPR of at least 113 in either the Great Voltigeur; Gordon Stakes; Irish or Epsom Derby or the Bahrain Trophy.
Two of the three exceptions had won a minimum 3 times that season and were late developers. We should look out of that type of profile when considering this overall trend.
The other exception is something we can draw a line through. In 2016 there was somewhat of a big shock when 22/1 outsider Harbour Law won making history for trainer Laura Mongan; who became the first female trainer to win the oldest classic. Probably the most eventful race of recent memory, it was a rousing 3 horse race at the finish as they hit the line. That didn’t tell the whole story however.
4/6F Idaho who would have passed this trend was travelling really strongly inside the last 3 furlongs. As he began to make his move, Idaho slipped slightly giving jockey Seamie Heffernan absolutely no chance to stay on. Idaho was a very solid favourite having been placed in both the Irish and Epsom Derby before taking the Great Voltigeur Stakes as 5/6F. He would very likely have won this race and we can draw a line through this year.
Trial races
Let’s have a deeper look at each of those 5 trial races this season starting with the Great Voltigeur Stakes.
- 9/20: Previous Winners had run in the Great Voltigeur Last Time Out; with a minimum RPR of at least 113 (Finishing positions 132112331)
Only one horse from this year’s Great Voltigeur meets that trend. Impressive winner, Pyledriver.
An RPR figure of 119, marks him down as an above-average Great Voltigeur runner. He must have a leading chance.
4/20: Previous Winners had run in the Gordon Stakes Last Time Out; with a minimum RPR of at least 114. (Finishing positions 1113)
Mogul was this year’s winner of the Gordon Stakes (RPR 113), but it was not a strong renewal on ratings. Furthermore, Mogul flopped next time out, finishing only third behind Pyledriver in the Great Voltigeur (RPR 109). As the 5-day declarations are confirmed, Mogul does not take his chance.
The winner of the Bahrain Trophy this year was Al Aasy. A beautifully bred Sea The Stars colt out of a Shamardal mare. He won well, but with an RPR of only 111, still had a little to find on trends. His last race in the Gordon Stakes allowed him the opportunity to do just that. However, he finished last of 6. He does not take his chance either on Saturday.
Derby horses
The final look at routes to the St Leger derives from the Derby’s. Serpentine (RPR 121), the winner of the Epsom Derby has not been seen out since. He won’t be running in the St Leger. Santiago (RPR 118) however, winner of the Irish Derby is declared; as is the second that day Tiger Moth (RPR 118).
There are two other horses coming from slightly unconventional routes that we must consider carefully. Hukum, for trainer Owen Burrows, winner of the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury. A Group 3 over 13.5F (RPR 118). Galileo Chrome a listed 13F winner at Naas (RPR 106) for Donnacha O’Brien. Both horses are lightly raced and have won their last 3 starts.
St Leger Stakes Race Trends
15 horses were declared today at the 5-day declarations stage. Let’s consider the following trends, when removing the other 10 from the shortlist.
- 16/20: Previous Winners were a minimum Group 3 Winner. (1 exception was 2016 Harbour Law)(all 3 others placed in either the Great Voltigeur or Gordon Stakes)
- 13/14: Previous Winners officially rated at least 108. (the exception was 2016 Harbour Law) * complete ratings only go back 14 years.
- 19/20: Previous Winners Sire Index no lower than 9.4.Joint Sire Index no lower than 18.4(the exception was 2016 Harbour Law)
- 20/20: Previous Winnershad at least 1 Brilliant, 8 Classic and 16 Total dosage points
- 19/20: Previous Winners between 0.41 & 1.77 Dosage Index(the exception was 2016 Harbour Law)
- 20/20: Previous Winners between -0.39 & 0.5 C.O.D. Dosage Index
St Leger Stakes Runners
Dawn Patrol, Sunchart, Mohican Heights, Mythical & Tyson Fury are all under 108 Official Ratings. They appear to have too much to find on trends and form.
Believe in Love, rated 107 is also a little short, but a very interesting runner having won a Newmarket handicap last time out by 10 lengths, (RPR 112). That was her 4th win a row, so she needs consideration. But despite that last run, she is no more than a handicap winner and is negative on breeding trends.
One time Derby favourite
English King, the one time Derby favourite has been declared today. On breeding, he looks a nice profile fit, but he has something to prove now after his flop last time out in the Gordon Stakes. Sent off 5/4F he was beaten over 3 lengths by Mogul into 4th and is somewhat unbackable on trends after that. His Lingfield Derby Trial win remains his best run to date and he is looking more and more flattered by how he looked in that as we progress through the season.
Max Vega ran well behind Hukum in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes last time out, with jockey Harry Bentley dropping the whip just over a furlong out. In truth though, Hukum was probably going to beat him anyway and was travelling much sweeter than Max Vega before going on to win by over 2 lengths. I wouldn’t completely discount Max Vega but he is also slightly negative on breeding trends as well as obviously liked to have seen him in a more recognised recent trial.
Subjectivist 7th and Berkshire Rocco 4th did take their chance in a recognised trial, the Great Voltigeur Stakes. Neither ran well enough to be considered here though. No horse has finished outside the top 3 in that and gone on to win the St Leger in the last 20 years. Subjectivist has had another run since then, winning the Group 3 March Stakes at Goodwood over 14 furlongs by an incredible 15 lengths. He looks like he stays all day, however I just can’t ignore getting beaten by 8 lengths in the Great Voltigeur. I can’t back a horse for the St Leger on those terms.
St Leger Stakes Shortlist
Pyledriver
The surprise winner of the Group 2 King Edward VII at Royal Ascot earlier this season. Many wrote him off after he could finish only 11th in the Derby next time out. Trainer William Muir however was convinced he would have performed better had he not been badly impeded in the race. He was somewhat proven on this point when he hacked up in the Great Voltigeur Stakes last time out. That puts him in with a huge chance here. He had also a 3lb penalty to contend with at York.
He is a very unfashionable horse with very modest breeding, failing on the trends. It all depends quite whether you believe in him or not. You can’t win the Great Voltigeur and King Edward VII by luck though.
Galileo Chrome
Galileo Chrome would be a fascinating runner for trainer Donnacha O’Brien if he does turn up this weekend. Winner of his last 3 starts, the last 2 by a combined 11 lengths. He won the Listed Yeats Stakes at Navan last time out. Impossible to know what he’s beaten in those however and with a best RPR of only 107, he has a lot to find on trends. Also yet to even race at Group level. Only just makes the breeding trends and he could be a horse that stays all day without quite enough talent or speed to win a St Leger Classic.
Tiger Moth
St Leger Day
It’s not yet clear whether Tiger Moth will take his chance on Saturday. If he does, he will be hard to work out with just 3 runs under his belt. His second in the Irish Derby is good enough form to give him the profile to win. Except for his inexperience. No horse in the last 20 runnings has won with only 3 starts under his belt. However, he was possibly even unlucky to finish second to Santiago having run quite wide on the bend. Nice breeding profile to him and would have a good chance.
Hukum
Hukum has now won 3 of his 4 starts and could be anything really. He is a beautifully bred Sea The Stars colt out of a Kingmambo dam. Winner of the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot, he was struck into during the race and had to be put away for a while before coming back to win the Geoffrey Freer. He looked impressive there and the injury could possibly be the reason he didn’t go for a more recognised St Leger trial. Still, he will be difficult to work out because of that and is a bit short in the market on what he’s achieved so far.
Santiago
When Aidan O’Brien wins the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot, it’s worth putting the horse into your St Leger tracker. Already proven over the distance from a trainer who excels with these types of horses, you can be sure he will have a great chance on Saturday. If that form isn’t enough, he went to the Curragh next time out and showed a lot of pace to win the Irish Derby. Furthermore, they thought him good enough to take on Stradivarius in the Goodwood Cup over 2 miles. He could only finish 3rd, but what he has achieved this season marks him down as a very exciting horse for next year when he will possibly go for all the big staying races.
When Is The St Leger Run 2020
We know he stays and we know he also has enough pace to win a Derby. He appears to have the perfect profile to win the St Leger. Another beautifully bred colt, out of Epsom Derby hero Authorized with a pace injection on the dam side with Cape Cross. There really isn’t much not to like.
It boils down to whether you trust a horse like Pyledriver or Hukum in a Classic or whether you go the tried and tested route with Aidan O’Brien.
St Leger Ky
Ultimately, it means looking at the prices and I can’t understand why Santiago is trading as big at 3/1. So he’s my selection. It would be a fascinating victory, as Ballydoyle number 1 rider, Ryan Moore will stay in Ireland for Irish Champions weekend. That means none other than Frankie Dettori is likely to take the ride. Frankie Dettori winning a Classic for Ballydoyle? A fitting result for this strange 2020 season I’d say.