Doncaster’s St Leger Stakes has had its fair share of incredible performances since its inaugural fixture in 1776 – and considering the field entered in this year’s race – it has all the makings of yet another classic.
With in-form thoroughbreds New London, Eldar Eldarov, Secret State and Hoo Ya Mal just a handful of the big names expected at Doncaster in 2022, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more exciting and competitive race to place some horse racing bets throughout the month of September.
With an elite class of horses, trainers and jockeys looking to etch themselves in the St Leger history books – there is more than just Group 1 success on the line. With that in mind, read on as we dissect some of the race’s best showings of the modern era and how their victories solidified their legacies as champion racehorses.
User Friendly – 1992
Chasing her fourth consecutive Group 1 success, the Clive Brittain-trained filly entered as the 5/4 favourite, with Bonny Scot and Rain Rider considered the major threats. User Friendly proved her mettle, streaking past the leaders down the straight to win by three-and-a-half-lengths – and in doing so – improved her unbeaten record to six. With a St Leger added to an already impressive list of accomplishments that included triumphs in the Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks, her greatness was undeniable.
Oh So Sharp – 1985
In what is one of the most historic wins in the event’s history, Oh So Sharp’s victory in the St Leger Stakes 27 years ago had fans and pundits watching on in awe. Not only was the filly’s win memorable because of the fashion in which it was achieved, it remains significant to this day as it marked just the second time since World War II that a horse had secured the Fillies’ Triple Crown.
Having won the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks earlier in the year, there was plenty of pressure on her trainer Henry Cecil and jockey Steve Cauthen to accomplish the incredibly difficult feat of going three from three. They delivered in spades, with their thoroughbred putting forth a resilient run to hold off the fast-finishing Phardante and Lanfranco to reign supreme by three-quarters of a length and a head.
Milan – 2001
To truly determine the greatness of a racehorse, you need to see how it performs under the most adverse circumstances. Milan did just that in the St Leger Stakes in 2001, overcoming a number of obstacles mid-race to show an exceptional turn of foot down the straight to best Demophilos by five lengths. Without his preferred position on the rails available, jockey Mick Kinane was forced to manoeuvre his thoroughbred on a number of occasions to establish a path worth pursuing.
While Kinane was preoccupied determining a route, Demophilos shot out to a lead of five lengths, leaving Milan an enormous amount of work to do late. The three-year-old showed all of his class however, mowing the leader down to win in a St Leger Stakes for the ages.
Logician – 2019
This three-year-old capped off an incredible 2019 flat racing season with a great performance in the St Leger Stakes. Winning by two-and-a-half lengths, the John and Thady Gosden-trained Logician proved too strong for Sir Ron Priestley and Nayef Road over the final furlong. After steadying early and holding up towards the rear, Logician began making smooth headway three furlongs from the finish. Hall of Fame jockey Frankie Dettori made his move and took the lead with two furlongs remaining, keeping on strongly to be first past the post.
St Leger marked Logician’s fifth consecutive win of the calendar year – further establishing himself as a thoroughbred to watch over the subsequent flat racing seasons.
Encke – 2012
While Encke could hardly be considered an all-time great, the St Leger Stakes in 2012 gets an honourable mention given the theatre and anticipation surrounding it.
In what was being billed as another historic race, Camelot had the chance to become the first thoroughbred since Nijinsky in 1970 to win the English Triple Crown. After winning the Epsom Derby and the 2,000 Guineas emphatically by five and two lengths respectively in June of that year, the stage was set for the Aidan O’Brien-trained horse to march his way into UK & Ireland horse racing folklore.
However, it was a strong run from Encke that foiled those plans, as he managed to hold off a valiant Camelot to win by three-quarters of a length. After making his push with a little more than a furlong remaining, the American thoroughbred displayed a combination of brute power and stamina down the stretch to take home the chocolates.
While much was made post-race of Joseph O’Brien’s poor ride atop Camelot, there’s no doubting that Encke earned that win at Doncaster. While a St Leger victory traditionally acts as a springboard for further success, that wasn’t the case for Encke, who failed to win another race for the remainder of his career.
The St Leger Stakes is such a deep race every year that it makes it one of the most competitive events on the horse racing calendar – and while that means it is a nightmare when making racing predictions – it also ensures it is one of the most compelling races of the season. Tune in September to witness the drama unfold.
