St Leger Winners History
The record for the most successful jockey in the history of the St Leger is held by Bill Scott. His first win in the Doncaster Classic came on board Jack Spigot in 1821 and his ninth came courtesy of the 1846 winner, Sir Tatton Sykes. St Leger Legends. First run in 2010, the race has grown rapidly in stature whilst capturing the attentions of the national racing media. The likes of Mick Kinane and the most successful lady jockey of all time, Julie Krone, have both lifted the Leger Legends accolade. In 2015, 20 times National Hunt Champion Jockey and legend of the racing World, Sir A P McCoy OBE, took the crown.
A Brief History Of St Leger The St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies run over a distance of 1 mile 6 furlongs and 132 yards (2,937 metres) at Doncaster Racecourse in September. First held in 1776, it is known as 'the oldest classic turf race', having eclipsed the even older Doncaster Cup as the most important race run at the course. It is one of five classic races in the UK, and also the final leg of both the colts' and fillies' Triple Crowns. Year 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918 1917 1916 1915 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910 1909 1908 1907 1906 1905 1904 1903 1902 1901 1900 1899 1898 1897 1896 1895 1894 1893 1892 1891 1890 1889 1888 1887 1886 1885 1884 1883 1882 1881 1880 1879 1878 1877 1876 1875 1874 1873 1872 1871 1870 1869 1868 1867 1866 1865 1864 1863 1862 1861 1860 1859 1858 1857 1856 1855 1854 1853 1852 1851 1850 1849 1848 1847 1846 1845 1844 1843 1842 1841 1840 1839 1838 1837 1836 1835 1834 1833 1832 1831 1830 1829 1828 1827 1826 1825 1824 1823 1822 1821 1820 1819 1818 1817 1816 1815 1814 1813 1812 1811 1810 1809 1808 1807 1806 1805 1804 1803 1802 1801 1800 1799 1798 1797 1796 1795 1794 1793 1792 1791 1790 1789 1788 1787 1786 1785 1784 1783 1782 1781 1780 1779 1778 1777 1776 Winner Lucarno Sixties Icon Scorpion Rule of Law Brian Boru Bollin Eric Milan Millenary Mutafaweq Nedawi Silver Patriarch Shantou Classic Cliché Moonax Bob's Return User Friendly Toulon Snurge Michelozzo Minster Son Reference Point Moon Madness Oh So Sharp Commanche Run Sun Princess Touching Wood Cut Above Light Cavalry Son of Love Julio Mariner Dunfermline Crow Bruni Bustino Peleid Boucher Athens Wood Nijinsky II Intermezzo Ribero Ribocco Sodium Provoke Indiana Ragusa Hethersett Aurelius St. Paddy Cantelo Alcide Ballymoss Cambremer Meld Never Say Die Premonition Tulyar Talma Scratch Ridge Wood Black Tarquin Sayajirao Airborne Chamossaire Tehran Herringbone Sun Chariot Sun Castle Turkhan Not held Scottish Union Chulmleigh Boswell Bahram Windsor Lad Hyperion Firdaussi Sandwich Singapore Trigo Fairway Book Law Coronach Solario Salmon-Trout Tranquil Royal Lancer Polemarch Caligula Keysoe Gainsborough Gay Crusader Hurry On Pommern Black Jester Night Hawk Tracery Prince Palatine Swynford Bayardo Your Majesty Wool Winder Troutbeck Challacombe Pretty Polly Rock Sand Sceptre Doricles Diamond Jubilee Flying Fox Wildfowler Galtee More Persimmon Sir Visto Throstle Isinglass La Flèche Common Memoir Donovan Seabreeze Kilwarlin Ormonde Melton The Lambkin Ossian Dutch Oven Iroquois Robert the Devil Rayon d'Or Jannette Silvio Petrarch Craig Millar Apology Marie Stuart Wenlock Hannah Hawthornden Pero Gomez Formosa Achievement Lord Lyon Gladiateur Blair Athol Lord Clifden The Marquis Caller Ou St Albans Gamester Sunbeam Imperieuse Warlock Saucebox Knight of St George West Australian Stockwell Newminster Voltigeur The Flying Dutchman Surplice Van Tromp Sir Tatton Sykes The Baron Faugh-a-Ballagh Nutwith Blue Bonnet Satirist Launcelot Charles XII Don John Mango Elis Queen of Trumps Touchstone Rockingham Margrave Chorister Birmingham Rowton The Colonel Matilda Tarrare Memnon Jerry Barefoot Theodore Jack Spigot St Patrick Antonio Reveller Ebor The Duchess Filho da Puta William Altisidora Otterington Soothsayer Octavian Ashton Petronius Paulina Fyldener Stavely Sancho Remembrancer Orville Quiz Champion Cockfighter Symmetry Lounger Ambrosio Hambletonian Beningbrough Ninety-Three Tartar Young Traveller Ambidexter Pewett Young Flora Spadille Paragon Cowslip Omphale Phoenomenon Imperatrix Serina Ruler Tommy Hollandaise Bourbon Allabaculia Jockey Jimmy Fortune Frankie Dettori Frankie Dettori Kerrin McEvoy Jamie Spencer Kevin Darley Michael Kinane Richard Quinn Richard Hills John Reid Pat Eddery Frankie Dettori Frankie Dettori Pat Eddery Philip Robinson George Duffield Pat Eddery Richard Quinn Steve Cauthen Willie Carson Steve Cauthen Pat Eddery Steve Cauthen Lester Piggott Willie Carson Paul Cook Joe Mercer Joe Mercer Alain Lequeux Eddie Hide Willie Carson Yves Saint-Martin Tony Murray Joe Mercer Frankie Durr Lester Piggott Lester Piggott Lester Piggott Ron Hutchinson Lester Piggott Lester Piggott Frankie Durr Joe Mercer Jimmy Lindley Garnie Bougoure Harry Carr Lester Piggott Lester Piggott Eddie Hide Harry Carr Tommy Burns Freddie Palmer Harry Carr Charlie Smirke Eph Smith Charlie Smirke Rae Johnstone Rae Johnstone Michael Beary Edgar Britt Edgar Britt Tommy Lowrey Tommy Lowrey Sir Gordon Richards Harry Wragg Sir Gordon Richards George Bridgland Sir Gordon Richards Brownie Carslake Sir Gordon Richards Pat Beasley Charlie Smirke Charlie Smirke Tommy Weston Freddy Fox Harry Wragg Sir Gordon Richards Michael Beary Tommy Weston Henri Jelliss Joe Childs Joe Childs Brownie Carslake Tommy Weston Bobby Jones Joe Childs Arthur Smith Brownie Carslake Joe Childs Steve Donoghue Charlie Childs Steve Donoghue Wal Griggs Elijah Wheatley George Bellhouse Frank O'Neill Frank Wootton Danny Maher Wal Griggs Bill Halsey George Stern Otto Madden Willie Lane Danny Maher Fred Hardy Kempton Cannon Herbert Jones Morny Cannon Charlie Wood Charlie Wood Jack Watts Sam Loates Morny Cannon Tommy Loates Jack Watts George Barrett Jack Watts Fred Barrett Jack Robinson Jack Robinson Fred Archer Fred Archer Jack Watts Jack Watts Fred Archer Fred Archer Tom Cannon Jem Goater Fred Archer Fred Archer Jem Goater Tom Chaloner John Osbourne Tom Osborne Charlie Maidment Charlie Maidment Jemmy Grimshaw John Wells Tom Chaloner Tom Chaloner Harry Custance Harry Grimshaw Jim Snowden Johnny Osbourne Tom Chaloner Tom Chaloner Luke Snowden Tom Aldcroft Luke Snowden Nat Flatman Nat Flatman John Wells Robert Basham Frank Butler John Norman Sim Templeman Job Marson Charlie Marlow Nat Flatman Job Marson Bill Scott Frank Butler Henry Bell Job Marson Tommy Lye Bill Scott Bill Scott Bill Scott Bill Scott Sam Day Jnr John Barham Day Tommy Lye George Calloway Sam Darling Jem Robinson John Barham Day Patrick Connolly Bill Scott Bill Scott Jem Robinson George Nelson Bill Scott Ben Smith 'Dick' Goodison John Jackson Bill Scott Bob Johnson Tom Nicholson Bob Johnson Bob Johnson Ben Smith John Jackson John Shepherd John Jackson Bob Johnson Ben Smith Bill Clift Ben Smith Ben Smith Bill Clift Tom Carr John Jackson Francis Buckle Ben Smith John Singleton Jnr John Shepherd Francis Buckle Tom Fields John Jackson Shepherd John Jackson Dixon Boyce John Jackson Bill Peirse John Mangle John Jackson George Searle Wilson John Mangle John Mangle John Mangle Searle J Kirton Anthony Hall Searle R Foster John Mangle George Lowry Snr George Herring John Cade John Singleton Trainer John Gosden Jeremy Noseda Aidan O'Brien Saeed bin Suroor Aidan O'Brien Tim Easterby Aidan O'Brien John Dunlop Saeed bin Suroor Saeed bin Suroor John Dunlop John Gosden Saeed bin Suroor Barry Hills Mark Tompkins Clive Brittain André Fabre Paul Cole Henry Cecil Neil Graham Henry Cecil John Dunlop Henry Cecil Luca Cumani Dick Hern Tom Jones Dick Hern Joe Mercer Robert Collet Clive Brittain Dick Hern Angel Penna Ryan Price Dick Hern Bill Elsey Vincent O'Brien Tom Jones Vincent O'Brien Harry Wragg Fulke Johnson Houghton Fulke Johnson Houghton George Todd Dick Hern Jack Watts Paddy Prendergast Dick Hern Noel Murless Noel Murless Charles Elsey Cecil Boyd-Rochfort Vincent O'Brien Georges Bridgland Cecil Boyd-Rochfort Joe Lawson Cecil Boyd-Rochfort Marcus Marsh Charles Semblat Charles Semblat Noel Murless Cecil Boyd-Rochfort Sam Armstrong Dick Perryman Dick Perryman Frank Butters Walter Earl Fred Darling Cecil Boyd-Rochfort Frank Butters Noel Cannon Tommy Hogg Cecil Boyd-Rochfort Frank Butters Marcus Marsh George Lambton Frank Butters Jack Jarvis Tommy Hogg Dick Dawson Frank Butters Alec Taylor Fred Darling Reg Day Dick Dawson Charles Morton Alf Sadler Tom Green Jack Leader George Lambton Alec Taylor Alec Taylor Fred Darling Charley Peck Charles Morton Jack Robinson John Watson Henry Beardsley George Lambton Alec Taylor Charles Morton Harry Enoch Willie Waugh Alec Taylor Peter Gilpin George Blackwell Bob Sievier Alfred Hayhoe Richard Marsh John Porter Sam Darling Sam Darling Richard Marsh Mat Dawson John Porter James Jewitt John Porter John Porter George Dawson George Dawson James Jewitt James Jewitt John Porter Mat Dawson Mat Dawson Richard Marsh Mat Dawson Jacob Pincus T Jennings Tom Jennings Mat Dawson Mat Dawson John Dawson Snr Alec Taylor Snr W Osbourne Robert Peck T Wadlow J Hayhoe Jos Dawson John Porter H Woolcott James Dover James Dover Tom Jennings William I'Anson E Parr John Scott William I'Anson Alec Taylor Snr John Scott Mathew Dawson John Scott John Scott Tom Parr R Longstaff John Scott W Harlock John Scott R Hill John Fobert R Stephenson Jr John Fobert W Oates John Scott J Forth Bob Johnson Tom Dawson John Scott John Scott John Scott John Scott M Dilly J Doe J Blenkhorn John Scott Richard Shepherd John Scott John Smith T Flintoff John Scott John Scott John Scott Sam King Richard Shepherd James Croft Richard Shepherd James Croft I Blades John Lonsdale John Lonsdale John Lonsdale John Lonsdale James Croft James Croft William Theakston Tommy Sykes W Hessletine Tommy Sykes William Theakston William Theakston Christopher Scaife Bartle Atkinson Bartle Atkinson J Smith Christopher Scaife George Searle Francis Buckle T Perren Tom Fields Sam King George Searle F Neale John Hutchinson John Hutchinson John Mangle John Hutchinson George Searle Christopher Scaife John Mangle John Mangle John Mangle George Searle M Mason Issac Cape George Searle J Lowther Joseph Rose Joseph Rose Christopher Scaife Owner George Strawbridge Susan Roy Michael Tabor Godolphin Stables Sue Magnier Sir Neil Westbrook Michael Tabor Neil Jones Godolphin Stables Godolphin Stables Peter Winfield Sheikh Mohammed Godolphin Stables Sheikh Mohammed Mrs Jackie Smith Bill Gredley Khalid Abdulla Martyn Arbib Charles St George Lady Beaverbrook Louis Freedman Duchess of Norfolk Sheikh Mohammed Ivan Allan Sir Michael Sobell Maktoum Al Maktoum Sir Jakie Astor Jim Joel Alexis Rolland Marcus Lemos Queen Elizabeth II Daniel Wildenstein Charles St George Lady Beaverbrook Bill Behrens Ogden Phipps Eileen Rogerson Charles W Engelhard Gerry Oldham Charles W Engelhard Charles W Engelhard Radha Sigtia Jakie Astor Charles W Engelhard Jim Mullion Lionel Holiday Vera Lilley Sir Victor Sassoon William Hill Humphrey Trafford John McShain Ralph Strassburger Lady Zia Werner Robert Clark Wilfred Wyatt HH Aga Khan III Marcel Boussac Marcel Boussac Geoffrey Smith William Woodward Maharajah of Baroda John Ferguson Stanhope Joel HH Aga Khan III 17th Earl of Derby King George VI 1st Viscount Portal HH Aga Khan III Jimmy Rank 1st Baron Glaneley William Woodward HH Aga Khan III Martin Benson 17th Earl of Derby HH Aga Khan III 6th Earl Rosebery 1st Baron Glaneley William Barnett 17th Earl of Derby 2nd Viscount Astor Baron Woolavington Sir John Rutherford HH Aga Khan III 17th Earl of Derby 5th Earl of Lonsdale Mar of Londonderry Mathradas Goculdas 17th Earl of Derby Lady James Douglas Alfred Cox James Buchanan Solly Joel Jack B. Joel William Walker August Belmont, Jr. Thomas Pilkington 17th Earl of Derby Alfred Cox Jack B. Joel Ned Baird Duke of Westminster Washington Singer Eustace Loder Sir James Miller Bob Sievier Leopold de Rothschild Prince of Wales Duke of Westminster Henry Greer John Gubbins Prince of Wales 5th Earl of Rosebery 1st Baron Alington Harry McCalmont Baron Maurice Hirsch Frederick Johnstone 6th Duke of Portland 6th Duke of Portland 5th Baron Calthorpe 7th Baron Rodney Duke of Westminster 20th Baron Hastings Robert Vyner Duke of Hamilton Viscount Falmouth Pierre Lorillard IV Charles Brewer Frederic de Lagrange Viscount Falmouth Viscount Falmouth Viscount Dupplin William Stirling Crawfurd John King James Merry 2nd Earl of Wilton Baron de Rothschild Thomas Morgan Sir Joseph Hawley William Graham Mark Pearson Richard Sutton Comte Lagrange William I'Anson Viscount St Vincent Stanhope Hawke William I'Anson Marquess Ailesbury Sir Charles Monck James Merry John Scott Anthony Nichol Tom Parr J B Morris John Bowes Marquess of Exeter Anthony Nichol 2nd Earl of Zetland 13th Earl of Eglinton 3rd Viscount Clifden Lord Eglinton Bill Scott Squire Bishop Burton E J Irwin Samuel Wrather 13th Earl of Eglinton Marq of Westminster Marq of Westminster Major Yarburgh Earl of Chesterfield Charles Cavendish Lord George Bentinck Hon Edward Mostyne Marq Westminster Bishop Burton John Gully Duke of Cleveland John Beardsworth Hon Edward Petre Hon Edward Petre Hon Edward Petre Earl of Scarbrough Bishop Burton Richard Gascoigne Bishop Burton Hon Edward Petre Thomas Orde-Powlett Sir Edward Smith Tom Ferguson Henry Peirse Henry Peirse Sir Graham Sir William Maxwell 9th Duke of Hamilton Squire Richard Watt Mr Robb Richard Gascoigne 6th Duke of Leeds 9th Duke of Hamilton 9th Duke of Hamilton 4th Earl Fitzwilliam John Clifton Harry Mellish Harry Mellish Earl of Strathmore 4th Earl Fitzwilliam Rev Henry Goodricke Christopher Wilson Sir Henry Vane Sir Gascoigne Rev Henry Goodricke Joseph Cookson Sir Charles Turner John Hutchinson John Clifton 9th Duke of Hamilton John Hutchinson Rev Henry Goodricke 4th Earl Fitzwilliam 9th Duke of Hamilton 9th Duke of Hamilton 9th Duke of Hamilton Richard Hill John Coates Sir John Lister Kaye Rev Henry Goodricke Colonel Radcliffe William Bethell Thomas Stapleton Sir Gascoigne William Sotheron 2nd Rockingham Time 3:01.90 2:57.29 3:19.01 3:06.29 3:04.64 3:02.92 3:05.16 3:02.58 3:02.75 3:05.61 3:06.92 3:05.10 3:09.74 3:04.19 3:07.85 3:05.48 3:03.12 3:08.78 3:20.72 3:06.80 3:05.91 3:05.03 3:07.13 3:09.93 3:16.65 3:03.53 3:11.60 3:11.48 3:09.02 3:04.94 3:05.17 3:13.17 3:09.02 3:09.02 3:08.21 3:28.71 3:14.9 3:06.4 3:11.8 3:19.8 3:05.4 3:09.8 3:18.6 3:05.4 3:05.4 3:10.8 3:06.6 3:13.2 3:04.6 3:06.4 3:15.6 3:12.2 3:14.6 3:10.6 3:06.8 3:07.8 3:13.8 3:08.8 |
In 1939, the 6 th Earl of Rosebery’s Blue Peter, having won the 2,000 Guineas and Derby, was undergoing his preparation for the St Leger. H owever, history intervened at 11 o’clock on Sunday 3 September, when Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain broadcast the news to the nation that Great Britain was at war with Germany. Subsequently, the St Leger was cancelled, thus denying Blue Peter the chance of the Triple.
.jpg "St leger winners")
Much like the St Leger Stakes at Doncaster, the Irish St Leger is the final classic of the season and takes place at the Curragh in September on the Sunday of the Irish Champions Weekend. Unlike the English St Leger, this one is open to all runners aged three and older and as such has seen numerous repeat winners over the years.
First run in 1915, the Irish St Leger is half a furlong shorter than the English equivalent at one mile six furlongs but both have seen some of the best stayers in the business take the spoils. This race also completes the Irish Triple Crown after the Irish 2000 Guineas and Irish Derby, though no horse has completed the treble since Windsor Slipper in 1942.
Next Race: TBD
The next renewal of this race has not been scheduled yet. We will update this once the schedule has been released for next season. The race info, trends and tips shown below will be updated for the next renewal once the final declarations have been made.
Last Run: 13th September 2020
- Winner: Search For A Song
- SP: 7/1
- Trainer: Dermot Weld
- Jockey: Oisin Orr
Race Info
This Group 1 event sees the stayers tackle the 1m6f trip in a race offering total prize money of €400,000. The ground at the track is currently described as good to yielding.
| Going | Distance | Grade | Prize Money | Runners | EW Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | 1m6f | Group 1 | €400,000 | 8 Runners | 1/5 1-3 |
Irish St. Leger Betting Tips
Note: The following tips are from 2020. Tips for the next renewal will be added once the final declarations have been made.
Unlike the English version of the race, which is restricted to the Classic generation only, the Irish St Leger is open to all runners aged three years and older.
Training legend Vincent O’Brien leads the way in the all-time trainers list for this contest with a total of nine wins. Namesake Aidan O’Brien might catch him yet though, with the master of Ballydoyle currently sitting on six successes. Aidan saddles the filly Passion and last season’s Irish Derby champ Sovereign this year.
This hasn’t been a particularly happy hunting ground for supporters of the market leader of late. Three winners in the past 10 years isn’t too bad a strike rate, but still handed jolly backers a level stakes loss of £3.35.
| Horse | Odds | Rating | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twilight Payment | 5/2 | 115 | Joseph Patrick O'Brien | Wayne Lordan |
| Sovereign | 5/2 | 117 | Aidan O'Brien | Ryan Moore |
| Search For A Song | 11/2 | 115 | Dermot Weld | Oisin Orr |
Twilight Payment – 5/2
Currently just about shading favouritism, in what is a very tight renewal this year, is the Joseph O’Brien runner, Twilight Payment. Formerly with Jim Bolger, this son of Teofilo will be making his fourth start in this race, and having recorded, sixth, fourth and seventh placed finishes in his three previous attempts, connections will clearly be hoping for better this time around.
Any hope of a more prominent finish is based upon the horse having improved following his switch to the O’Brien operation in July 2019. Not at his current yard for all that long prior to last year’s seventh placed finish, the evidence of this season’s best efforts do suggest that he may be in the form of his life at six years of age. A good winner of the Group 2 Vintage Crop stakes in June, he was then even better when slamming the field in the Curragh Cup last time out.
Significantly, each of those contests came over this very course and distance, so he has shown that he can do it around here. Whilst he steps up from Group 2 to Group 1 level, the winning margin was a yawning eight lengths in that Curragh Cup event, suggesting he may well be up to the task.
Sovereign – 5/2
One of the major threats to the Joseph O’Brien runner comes from the yard of his father, as it is the Aidan O’Brien-trained Sovereign who heads the field on ratings and is the selection of Ryan Moore.
It’s not too hard to see why Moore has opted to ride this Galileo colt rather than the talented filly Passion, as regardless of whether or not he stole the race from the front, it still takes a horse of significant class to win the Irish Derby by six lengths. Sovereign was predictably no match for Enable last time out at Ascot, but it his first run of the campaign over this course and distance which really catches the eye with regard to this race.
He does have three lengths to find with Twilight Payment on that effort, but the bare form of the result doesn’t really tell the whole story. Getting himself very worked up beforehand, and becoming detached during the race itself, the bird had flown by the time he loomed up on the bridle a furlong from home However, he did still finish off his race nicely under very considerate handling, suggesting that landing a big prize at this trip may be within his capabilities. It would certainly be a surprise were he not to be capable of better, granted a more usual build up and passage throughout the race, and he likely won’t be far away.
Search For A Song – 11/2
There have been a number of multiple winners of this race over the years, with 2015 and 2017 champ Order Of St George being the most recent dual hero. Bidding to join the club this year is the defending champion, Search For A Song.
Hailing from the yard of expert trainer Dermot Weld, this Galileo filly is pretty lightly raced for a four year old and will be making only her ninth career start here. The pick of those eight previous performances undoubtedly came in this event last season, when doing it well from the front to see off the likes of former English St Leger winner, Kew Gardens and Melbourne Gold Cup champ, Cross Counter. Fast forward to the current campaign and she seemed badly in need of the run when only sixth over an inadequate 1m2½f first time out, but her effort in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last time out was much more like it.
The 1m2f trip was again on the short side that day, but she was a big eye-catcher in doing all her best work late to finish a four and a half length third place to Magical. That was a most encouraging effort ahead of what is likely to be her major target of the season and she can’t be discounted. Whilst she won’t be in receipt of the three year olds allowance this year, she does still receive the three pound fillies’ and mares’ concession which, once factored in, makes her the one to beat on ratings.
Irish St. Leger Winners
| Year | Winner | SP | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Search For A Song | 7/1 | Dermot Weld | Oisin Orr |
| 2019 | Search For A Song | 10/1 | Dermot Weld | Chris Hayes |
| 2018 | Flag Of Honour | 2/1 | Aidan O’Brien | Ryan Moore |
| 2017 | Order Of St George | 2/5 | Aidan O’Brien | Ryan Moore |
| 2016 | Wicklow Brave | 11/1 | Willie Mullins | Frankie Detori |
| 2015 | Order Of St George | 5/4 | Aidan O’Brien | Joseph O’Brien |
| 2014 | Brown Panther | 14/1 | Tom Dascombe | Richard Kingscote |
| 2013 | Voleuse De Coeurs | 9/1 | Dermot Weld | Chris Hayes |
| 2012 | Royal Diamond | 16/1 | Thomas Carmondy | Niall McCullagh |
| 2011 | Duncan (DH) | 5/1 | John Gosden | Eddie Ahern |
| Jukebox Jury (DH) | 4/1 | Mark Johnston | Johnny Murtagh |
About the Irish St Leger
The five English Classics have been the staple of the flat racing world for hundreds of years and their success has inevitably led to a string of similar races cropping all over the world. The Irish racing season has its own versions of the five British Classics, including the Irish St. Leger. Now held at the Curragh as part of Longines Irish Champions Weekend, this Group 1 has retained its prestige over the years and is an event that racing fans always look forward to.
SIMILARITIES & DIFFERENCES
The Irish St. Leger is very similar to its equivalent race run at Doncaster. It too takes place every year in September, is run over a distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs (14 furlongs) and completes the (Irish) Triple Crown. It is not an exact copy though, with the Curragh version open to horses older than three-year-olds since 1983 whilst geldings are also permitted to compete. For grammatical pedants, it’s also worth pointing out that the Irish version of the race has its name spelt with full stop for the abbreviation St.
Moving back to the more serious business of racing, those looking through the stats for a potential Irish St. Leger winner will find that the important disparities between the races at the Curragh and Doncaster paint a very different picture when it comes to the trends. The most obvious is that older horses have a decent record in the Irish St. Leger. Although three-year-olds including Flag Of Honour, Order Of St George and Vinnie Row have all won the race, horses aged four and older have had the better of it.
The other thing that Order Of St George and Vinne Row have in common is that they are both multiple winners of the Irish St. Leger. Vinnie Row won the race for the Dermot Weld/Pat Smullen combination four years in a row from 2001 whilst Order Of St George won in both 2015 and 2017. Each of those horses had further success in some of the biggest stayers’ races on the flat but of course repeat success in the English St Leger is impossible.
MULTIPLE IRISH ST. LEGER WINNERS: 1983 – 2019
St Leger Winners History Jeopardy
| Horse | Trainer | Years Won | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinnie Roe | Dermot Weld | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |
| Order Of St George | Aidan O’Brien | 2015 | 2017 | ||
| Kayf Tara | Saeed bin Suroor | 1998 | 1999 | ||
| Oscar Schindler | Kevin Prendergast | 1996 | 1997 | ||
| Vintage Crop | Dermot Weld | 1993 | 1994 | ||
Vinnie Row and Order Of St George were stayers of the highest ability so it is no surprise that, in many ways, they set the tone for the template of an Irish St. Leger winner. They were found towards the top of the betting market, had previous Group 1 success and had proven their stamina over staying trips at courses other than the Curragh. Although longer odds winners are not exactly rare, it does pay to favour the highest class stayers in the field.
St Leger Day
A GENUINELY TOP CLASS STAYING RACE
The history of the Irish St. Leger begins in 1915 when it was first held. In those early days the race was restricted to three-year-olds just like the English equivalent and regularly attracted horses who competed at Doncaster to the field including Royal Lancer who won both races in 1922.
Royal Lancer’s achievement was surpassed just 12 years later by Museum who followed up wins in the Irish 2000 Guineas and the Irish Derby by winning the Irish St. Leger and therefore completing the Irish Triple Crown. The only other horse to achieve that feat is Windsor Slipper in 1942. The increasingly specialised nature of long distance flat racing makes it highly unlikely that any horse will join Museum and Windsor Slipper as Irish Triple Crown winners but the Irish St. Leger remains an incredibly important race since it was opened up to older horses in 1983.
St Leger Winners
The chance for repeat winners of the Irish St. Leger allows the race to stand out from the other Classics in Ireland and England and has helped it to produce some genuine legends over the years. As well as Vinnie Roe and Order Of St George, these legends include Vintage Crop who won in 1993 and 1994 before becoming the first European-trained horse to win the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse.
St Leger Race
Many of the leading long distance horses on the flat don’t reach the peak of their powers until later on in their careers. Several have therefore won the Irish St. Leger after performing well in other massive staying races including the Ascot Gold Cup and the British Champions Long Distance Cup and even in some National Hunt races, as was the case with 2017 winner Wicklow Brave.