Joseph O’Brien has secured leading British jockey Billy Loughnane to partner Enceladus in Saturday’s Betfred St Leger at Doncaster, with the progressive colt firmly established among the leading contenders for the final British Classic of the season.
Enceladus has emerged as one of the standout three-year-olds of the summer following impressive victories at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood. The son of Sea The Stars is currently among the favourites for the St Leger, sitting behind Derby winner Christmas Day in the betting.
Loughnane comes in for the injured Dylan Browne McMonagle, who has ridden Enceladus in four of his five career starts.
Loughnane Excited by Major St Leger Opportunity
The booking represents another high-profile opportunity for the 20-year-old Loughnane, who currently leads the British jockeys’ championship.
Speaking ahead of the race, Loughnane described the ride as an exciting opportunity and praised Enceladus for the way he has progressed through the season.
The colt has continued to improve with every step up in grade and most recently confirmed his Classic credentials with victory in the Group 3 Gordon Stakes.
Saturday will represent another significant rise in competition, but confidence remains high within the Joseph O’Brien camp.
O’Brien said Enceladus has been training well in preparation for Doncaster and confirmed that he was pleased to have secured Loughnane’s services.
Highwayman Gives O’Brien a Second St Leger Runner
Joseph O’Brien is also expected to be represented by Highwayman, giving the Irish trainer a two-pronged challenge in the prestigious mile-and-three-quarter contest.
Highwayman has developed steadily during his six starts and appears to have benefited from racing over longer distances.
The son of Persian King recorded his first victory at Killarney in July, producing an emphatic performance to win by nine lengths.
He followed that success with another step forward when landing the Listed Vinnie Roe Stakes at Leopardstown.
Saffie Osborne is expected to take the ride at Doncaster.
O’Brien acknowledged that Highwayman faces a considerable increase in class but believes the colt remains open to further improvement.
The trainer will be attempting to win the St Leger for the second time after Galileo Chrome gave him his first victory in the race in 2020 under Tom Marquand.
Dylan Browne McMonagle Remains Sidelined
Regular Enceladus rider Dylan Browne McMonagle remains out of action following a fall at Bellewstown on August 25.
No official date has yet been confirmed for his return to race riding.
The situation has created an opportunity for Loughnane, particularly as several of O’Brien’s regular jockeys are expected to be involved at Leopardstown during the opening day of the Irish Champions Festival.
The St Leger booking adds to an already impressive season for Loughnane.
He has collected several top-level victories during the campaign and has also enjoyed success for members of the O’Brien family.
Among his notable wins was a Group 1 victory aboard Comanche Brave in the July Cup for Donnacha O’Brien.
Loughnane has also teamed up successfully with Joseph O’Brien this season, including victory with King Of Cloughan in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Christmas Day Heads Strong Aidan O’Brien Challenge
Derby winner Christmas Day remains the leading contender for the 2026 St Leger and is set to spearhead a powerful Ballydoyle team.
If successful at Doncaster, Christmas Day would become the first horse since Reference Point in 1987 to complete the Derby and St Leger double.
Aidan O’Brien has five horses remaining in contention and will be attempting to continue his remarkable recent record in the race.
The Ballydoyle trainer is chasing a fourth consecutive St Leger victory.
Alongside Christmas Day, his potential runners include Pierre Bonnard, Amelia Earhart, Piazza San Marco and Action.
Pierre Bonnard Could Renew Rivalry with Derby Winner
Pierre Bonnard is another major player in the St Leger market and could renew his rivalry with Christmas Day.
The pair met in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month, where Pierre Bonnard finished second and Christmas Day third behind winner Maltese Cross.
That form has added further intrigue to Saturday’s Classic, with both horses expected to be prominent in the betting.
Amelia Earhart also remains among the Ballydoyle options, while Piazza San Marco and Action complete Aidan O’Brien’s five remaining entries.
Del Maro Removed from St Leger Contention
One notable absentee from the latest list is Charlie Appleby’s Del Maro.
The Godolphin runner had been trading at around 10-1 in the ante-post market but has now been taken out of the race.
His absence means there will be no major Godolphin-Coolmore clash in this year’s St Leger.
With Del Maro out, Andrew Balding’s Hatteen is currently one of the shortest-priced British-trained contenders.
2026 St Leger Confirmed Entries
Twelve horses remained in contention at the latest confirmation stage:
- Action — Aidan O’Brien
- Alderman — Richard Hannon
- Christmas Day — Aidan O’Brien
- Enceladus — Joseph O’Brien
- Galiyan — Andrew Balding
- Golden Story — Karl Burke
- Hatteen — Andrew Balding
- Highwayman — Joseph O’Brien
- Piazza San Marco — Aidan O’Brien
- Pierre Bonnard — Aidan O’Brien
- Rebel Rocker — Faye Bramley
- Amelia Earhart — Aidan O’Brien
Doncaster Ground Expected to Remain on the Easy Side
Conditions at Doncaster were described as good to soft at the beginning of the week, with racecourse officials expecting only limited changes before Saturday.
The weather forecast is largely settled, although occasional showers remain possible.
Clerk of the course David Attwood indicated that any light rainfall could help keep the track slightly on the easy side of good for the opening of the meeting on Thursday.
If the forecast remains predominantly dry, however, “good” could become part of the official going description later in the week.
Recent rainfall has been particularly welcome following a hot and dry summer.
Around 45 to 50 millimetres of rain reportedly fell in the area roughly a week to ten days ago, significantly improving the condition of the racing surface.
The track has responded well, with stronger grass growth and favourable conditions ahead of Doncaster’s biggest meeting of the year.
Doncaster Prepares for Historic 250th St Leger
The 2026 edition will mark the 250th running of the St Leger, adding extra significance to one of the most historic races in world racing.
Doncaster officials have been working on a series of celebrations involving the local community.
Special entertainment is also planned for race day, including a guest performance of the national anthem and another high-profile guest expected to attend on Saturday.
The racecourse has been adapted to accommodate approximately 30,000 spectators, with expanded enclosures and improvements to the parade ring.
Several areas are already sold out, although tickets remain available in selected grandstand and picnic sections, along with limited hospitality packages.
Latest St Leger Betting
The market continues to be headed by Derby hero Christmas Day, with Enceladus and Pierre Bonnard regarded as his main rivals.
Betfred St Leger — Doncaster, Saturday
- 13-8 Christmas Day
- 5-2 Enceladus
- 11-4 Pierre Bonnard
- 12-1 Hatteen
- 14-1 Highwayman
- 25-1 Amelia Earhart
- 33-1 Alderman
- 33-1 Piazza San Marco
- 40-1 Galiyan
- 40-1 Golden Story
- 66-1 Rebel Rocker
- 100-1 Action
With the O’Brien family responsible for several of the leading contenders, the 250th St Leger is shaping up to be a fascinating renewal.
Christmas Day brings proven Classic form, while Enceladus continues to progress rapidly and arrives at Doncaster as one of the most exciting challengers in the field.
The addition of championship-leading jockey Billy Loughnane only adds further interest to Joseph O’Brien’s St Leger bid.
