History Of the Oldest British – The St Leger

The St Leger is the oldest of the five British Classics in horse racing, as it was first run in 1776. It is now the final British Classic of the season in Flat racing, meaning it is the last chance for the leading three-year-olds to win one of the sport’s big races.

Army office and local Doncaster politician Anthony St Leger established the race, which used to be run over two miles. It now takes place over a short trip of one mile and six furlongs. It is open to three-year-old colts and fillies, with the latter receiving a 3lb weight allowance against the opposite sex.

Strong Line Up for This Year’s Renewal

Epsom Derby runner-up King Of Steel is the +700 favorite at the horse racing betting site Betfair to win this year’s renewal of St Leger. He finished half-a-length behind Auguste Rodin in the British Classic earlier this season. Many pundits believe he will appreciate the stiffer test at Doncaster.

White Birch came home one place behind King Of Steel in the Derby, and the Irish raider is likely to get a chance to reverse his form with Roger Varian’s colt in St Leger. John Murphy’s colt won a Group Three contest over at Leopardstown earlier this season. He is likely to be much more experienced when he lines up at Doncaster later in the campaign.

Final Leg English Triple Crown

The St Leger is the final leg of the English Triple Crown in the sport. If a horse wins the 2,000 Guineas and then prevails in the Derby, they then have a shot at completing the Triple Crown at Doncaster.

The last horse to win the English Triple Crown was Njinksy in 1970. He became the 15th in history to prevail in all three British Classics. With wins at distances between six furlongs and one mile and six furlongs, the Triple Crown winner was considered one of the most versatile horses in history.

Camelot came close to matching what Njinksy achieved in 2012. After wins in the 2,000 Guineas and Derby, he was expected to complete the treble at Doncaster for Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien. Unfortunately for connections of the colt, he had to settle for second place behind Encke.

Recent Winners Have Gone on To Have Careers

Hurricane Lane was the winner of the 2021 St Leger. It was a big year on the track for Charlie Appleby’s colt as he also won the Irish Derby at the Curragh. A month after his Doncaster triumph, he finished third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, coming home less than a length behind the winner.

The five-year-old remains in training and earlier in the campaign he won the Group Two Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket by six lengths. He will be hoping to add to his tally in 2023 in some of the biggest middle distances races in Europe.

Edlar Eldarov was the latest horse to win the St Leger in 2022. He is one of the leading contenders for the Ascot Gold Cup at Royal Ascot this year. Should he complete that double, he would establish himself as the leading staying in Flat racing.

This year’s St Leger takes place on September 16, and it will be the 246th running in history.