16:25 Curragh

Sunday 14 September 2025

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Comer Group International Irish St. Leger (Group 1)

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 2m 59.87s

(2)

Al Qareem²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 114| D

12/1

Likeable front runner who has added listed (2) and Group 3 wins over this trip in 2025. Stamina seemingly just stretched by 2m in the Lonsdale Cup at York last time and treated as if still in good form.

Form: 312114

(5)

Al Riffa^p⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: D Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 118| CD

3/1

Very smart horse. Second to Rebel's Romance in Hardwicke at Royal Ascot before getting his head back in front in Curragh Cup over C&D (good to soft) in July. Likely to go well again.

Form: 10-3421

(1)

Crystal Black^t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Colin Keane| T: G Keane| OR: 111| C

12/1

Progressed into a smart performer in 2024, winning all 4 starts, including a Royal Ascot handicap and Leopardstown Group 3. Respectable ½-length second of 6 to Sons And Lovers in that same Leopardstown Group 3 last month. Heads into the autumn a fresh horse after only 2 runs this year.

Form: 1111-42

(6)

Dallas Star²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: D Egan| T: A Murray| OR: 100

125/1

Useful colt. 4¼ lengths second of 4 to Leinster in Irish St Leger Trial over C&D (good) 29 days ago, having run of race. Stiff task.

Form: 462342

(7)

Illinois^p1⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: C Soumillon| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 116| BF| C| D

15/8

Dual Group 2 winner at 3 and added the Group 3 Ormonde at Chester on his reappearance in May. Just as good when runner-up in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot (2½m, firm) and Goodwood Cup (2m, good) since. Cheekpieces on first time. The one to beat.

Form: 221-122

(8)

Leinster²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Billy Lee| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 106| CD

22/1

Smart gelding. 6/1, career best when winning 4-runner Irish St Leger Trial at this C&D (good) 29 days ago by 4¼ lengths from Dallas Star, driven clear. Al Riffa looks the yard's main hope this time, though.

Form: 13-1441

(4)

Queenstown^b²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 106| C

50/1

Well held in listed/Group 2 events on his first 2 outings this year but back to his very best when third of 22 in the Ebor at York (1¾m, good to firm) 22 days ago. That was a really smart handicap performance but it's still easy to look elsewhere stepping up to Group 1 company for the first time.

Form: 200-663

(9)

Waldadler³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: David Liska| T: Pavel Vovcenko| OR: 104| D

100/1

Useful German raider but doesn't look up to this level.

Form: 8-23351

(3)

Amiloc⁸⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 112

2/1

Stretched his unbeaten record to 5 when proving ¾-length too strong for Zahrann in the Group 2 King Edward at Royal Ascot (1½m, good to firm) in June. Given a bit of time since. Should stay 1¾m and looks capable of even better.

Form: 11-111

Forecasts

Illinois (15/8), Amiloc (2/1), Al Riffa (3/1), Al Qareem (12/1), Crystal Black (12/1), Leinster (22/1), Queenstown (50/1), Waldadler (100/1), Dallas Star (125/1)

The likeable ILLINOIS can respond well to first-time cheekpieces and end his frustrating run of Group 1 seconds. Al Riffa had plenty to spare in the Curragh Cup and is the chief form threat, although unbeaten 3-y-o Amiloc has the potential to improve again and shake up his more-established rivals.