Epsom Derby hero Christmas Day heads a field of 12 confirmations for the 250th Betfred St Leger at Doncaster, with Aidan O’Brien’s colt aiming to secure a double in the world’s oldest Classic on Saturday, according to RTÉ.
Christmas Day Leads Ballydoyle Contenders at Doncaster
Aidan O’Brien’s colt enters the contest as a hot favorite to become the first horse since Reference Point in 1987 to win both the premier Classic at Epsom and the world’s oldest Classic on Town Moor, as reported by RTÉ. The son of Camelot—who himself was memorably denied the Triple Crown by Encke in the 2012 St Leger—leads a powerful Ballydoyle raiding party on Town Moor.
According to RTÉ, Aidan O’Brien has also left in Action, Piazza San Marco, Pierre Bonnard, and Amelia Earhart, who stands as the only filly in the potential field.
Joseph O’Brien and Home Challengers Stand in the Way
The primary challenge to Aidan O’Brien’s quest for a 10th St Leger victory may come from within the family. According to RTÉ, his son Joseph O’Brien saddles two notable contenders: Enceladus and Highwayman. Enceladus arrives with strong market support following victories in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.
Meanwhile, the home contingent is spearheaded by Andrew Balding’s Hatteen, the winner of the inaugural St Leger Trial at Doncaster earlier in the season. Balding may also saddle Galiyan. Additional contenders round out the 12 confirmations, including Alderman for Richard Hannon, Golden Story for Karl Burke, and Rebel Rocker for Faye Bramley, per RTÉ.
Town Moor Track Conditions and Attendance Targets
The four-day St Leger Festival opens on Thursday. Clerk of the course David Attwood reported that recent rainfall left the track looking “a million dollars,” describing the ground as good to soft on Monday morning, according to RTÉ.
Attwood told Sky Sports Racing that forecasts point to predominantly dry conditions with temperatures ranging between 18C and 20C through the week, leaving the watering cans in the shed. Organizers are targeting a bumper crowd of 30,000 for Saturday’s feature race. While Prestige, Premier, and County enclosures are sold out, limited hospitality, Grandstand, and Picnic tickets remain available following site expansions that feature a new winner’s enclosure and podium, according to RTÉ.
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