Betfred Derby winner Christmas Day heads 27 entries for the 250th running of the oldest Classic in British Flat racing, the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster on September 12.
The race has a prize fund of £700,000 this year and trainer Aidan O’Brien is likely to be well represented as he goes in search of an historic 10th win in the 1m6f event.
Christmas Day sprung a surprise in the Betfred Derby earlier in the season when he relished conditions to come home a comfortable winner. Stablemate Benvenuto Cellini reversed that form in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and the pair are among nine potential Ballydoyle representatives in the Betfred St Leger next month which also includes Montreal, Pierre Bonnard and Causeway.
Aidan O’Brien’s son, Joseph O’Brien, won this race with Galileo Chrome back in 2020 and is also strongly represented with five entries headed by Limestone and Enceladus.
The UK entries are spearheaded by Maltese Cross, runner-up in the Betfred Derby for William Haggas, who has also entered Infraad.
There is strong Royal interest in the shape of Point of Law, who carries the silks of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen. Bred by the King, the John & Thady Gosden-trained colt has won two of his four starts, most recently the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket, and would provide a remarkable story should he emulate Dunfermline, the last Royal winner of the St Leger back in 1977. The Gosden yard, long associated with Doncaster’s staying showpieces, could also be represented by Superior Choice.
Charlie Johnston’s Ancient Egypt, representing Amo Racing, is another entry, as is Godolphin’s Del Maro for Charlie Appleby. Andrew Balding has entered Galiyan and Hatteen, with further strength in depth from Golden Story (K R Burke), Alderman (Richard Hannon) and Rebel Rocker (Faye Bramley).
The Betfred St Leger Festival runs from Thursday to Sunday September 13, with the 250th running of the Betfred St Leger Stakes the feature of Betfred St Leger Day on Saturday September 12.
Betfred St Leger Entries in full (27)
1. Action (IRE) (Aidan O'Brien)
2. Alderman (GB) (Richard Hannon)
3. Ancient Egypt (IRE) (Charlie Johnston)
4. Benvenuto Cellini (IRE) (Aidan O'Brien)
5. Cannes (IRE) (Joseph Patrick O'Brien)
6. Causeway (IRE) (Aidan O'Brien)
7. Christmas Day (IRE) (Aidan O'Brien)
8. Del Maro (GER) (Charlie Appleby)
9. Enceladus (IRE) (Joseph Patrick O'Brien)
10. Galiyan (GB) (Andrew Balding)
11. Golden Story (IRE) (K. R. Burke)
12. Hatteen (IRE) (Andrew Balding)
13. Highwayman (FR) (Joseph Patrick O'Brien)
14. Infraad (IRE) (William Haggas)
15. Limestone (IRE) (Joseph Patrick O'Brien)
16. Maltese Cross (FR) (William Haggas)
17. Montreal (IRE) (Aidan O'Brien)
18. Nil Bua Gan Dua (USA) (Joseph Patrick O'Brien)
19. Piazza San Marco (USA) (Aidan O'Brien)
20. Pierre Bonnard (IRE) (Aidan O'Brien)
21. Point of Law (GB) (John & Thady Gosden)
22. Port of Spain (IRE) (Aidan O'Brien)
23. Rebel Rocker (GB) (Faye Bramley)
24. Superior Choice (GB) (John & Thady Gosden)
25. Victoire Magique (GB) (Amy Murphy)
26. Zia Zabel (IRE) (Emmet Mullins)
27. Amelia Earhart (IRE) (Aidan O'Brien)
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