Ralph Beckett decided to supplement Irish Oaks winner You Got To Me for the final Classic of the season at Doncaster, drawn by the prospect of good ground at the Betfred St Leger. Beckett has a history of successfully running fillies against colts in this race, having won with Simple Verse, finished second with Talent, and third with Look Here.
The decision was bolstered by the confirmation that owners Valmont and Newsells Park Stud paid the £50,000 supplement fee, bringing the total number of entries to 10 as of Monday’s confirmation stage.
Beckett expressed confidence, saying, "I don’t think stamina will be an issue. She seems in good shape, and we’re aware her best form is on good ground or faster, which the forecast suggests will be the case this weekend. It felt like a good fit for her. We've had first, second, and third-place finishes with fillies in the Leger. While it’s not a race we’ve always got right, it certainly doesn’t faze us."
Aidan O’Brien has five horses among the remaining entries. He has won the world’s oldest Classic seven times, but still trails John Scott’s record of 16 wins set between 1827 and 1862. The top three in the ante-post betting are all from Ballydoyle.
Illinois, who was the runner-up in the Great Voltigeur and a Royal Ascot winner, heads O’Brien's team and will be ridden by Wayne Lordan, as Ryan Moore has chosen to ride Auguste Rodin in the Irish Champion Stakes.
Another strong contender from Ballydoyle is the unbeaten Jan Brueghel, who has won all three of his races, including the Group Three Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. The form of his win was further validated by the runner-up Bellum Justum, who triumphed in the Nashville Derby next time out.
Grosvenor Square is also a major Ballydoyle hopeful. He won the Irish St Leger Trial with ease, leading from the start and finishing 20 lengths clear.
While Los Angeles, who won both the Irish Derby and Great Voltigeur, remains in contention, O’Brien is targeting him for the Irish Champion Stakes. Euphoric could also be a representative of the stable.
David Menuisier’s Sunway, who finished close behind Los Angeles in the Irish Derby and fourth in the King George in between, is another to watch. Menuisier is optimistic about his chances and confirmed him for the race.
Owen Burrows’ Deira Mile, fourth in the Derby behind City Of Troy, is another strong contender, despite a narrow loss in a Listed race after a mid-season break.
Andrew Balding’s Wild Waves and Charlie Johnston’s Align The Stars are also still in the mix, but the Bahrain Trophy winner Ancient Wisdom will not be participating. Godolphin announced on X that Ancient Wisdom, although in good form, will be aimed at an autumn campaign with preferred ground conditions instead.