With the 1000 and 2000 Guineas, Oaks and Derby now in the books for another year, the latest batch of three-year-olds have just one more chance to grab a slice of Classic glory. Saturday, 14th of September is the date in the diary, as Doncaster readies itself to stage the 2024 edition of the St. Leger Stakes.
First run in 1776, the jewel in the crown of the South Yorkshire track is the oldest of Britain’s five Classic contests – predating the blue riband event of the Derby by four years. Bestowing prestige, a place in the history books, and just shy of £400,000 upon the winner, the late summer highlight features high on the wish lists of the leading trainers on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Ahead of the 2024 edition, the Emerald Isle’s star trainer appears to have a vice-like grip on the race. Already responsible for the top two in the market, events at the Qatar Goodwood Festival saw another Aidan O’Brien star thrust his name into the mix.
Jan Adds to Galileo Leger Hand
Given his impact on the sport since scorching to Epsom Derby glory in 2001, few would begrudge sire extraordinaire Galileo one last Classic triumph. Having passed away in 2021, this season represents Galileo’s final crack at the quintet of British Classics. With the winners of the 1000 Guineas, 2000 Guineas, Oaks, and Derby sired by Kingman, Dubawi, Dubawi, and Justify, if Galileo is to sire a Classic winner with his final crop of offspring, it will have to come in the St. Leger. Happily, the greatest stallion of the modern era looks to be in with a solid chance.
Battling Brueghel Grabs Gordon Gold
The latest Galileo-sired colt to enter the St. Leger picture goes by the name of Jan Brueghel. That name wasn’t on the lips of many heading into the current season, as Jan Brueghel made his first racecourse appearance in May 2024. However, he has soon made up for lost time.
He was fully eight lengths too good for the opposition in his Maiden at the Curragh. However, he had to work harder next time out in the Group 3 International Stakes, but showed great guts to get on top late and score by a neck. Next stop, Glorious Goodwood.
Jan Brueghel 👀
By Galileo (and a full-brother to Sovereign) bred by @BarronstownStud wins his Maiden on debut @curraghrace in impressive fashion!#Notebook
🎥 @RacingTV pic.twitter.com/iT22uZzfvI— Kevin Buckley (@BuckleyKevin) May 25, 2024
Testing the 1m4f waters for the first time in the Group 3 Gordon Stakes, the mount of Ryan Moore faced a pair of dangerous opponents in Meydaan, who landed the Cocked Hat Stakes at this track in May, and Bellum Justum, who bagged the Blue Riband Derby Trial on route to a seventh-placed effort in the big one.
Whilst not quite passing the test with flying colours, Jan Brueghel displayed many attributes you would look for in a St. Leger hopeful. Prominent throughout, he took up the running 2f out before ultimately outstaying and outbattling late challenger Bellum Justum to score by a neck. With the prospect of further improvement at 1m6f, he is now a general 4/1 second favourite for the big one.
Los Angeles, Illinois, and Highbury Well Placed to Strike
If Jan Brueghel comes up short at Doncaster – or ultimately heads elsewhere – Ballydoyle still appears the most likely destination for the 2024 St. Leger. Already successful seven times in the great race, O’Brien has a wealth of talent to call upon.
Third behind stablemate City Of Troy at Epsom, and first in the Irish Derby, Los Angeles is an obvious sort on paper and is the outright favourite in most lists. However, comments in the aftermath of that Curragh success suggested that the Doncaster Classic may not be the ultimate goal for the son of Camelot, who famously finished second in the 2012 edition.
Moving further down the list of O’Brien possibles reveals a trio of Galileo-sired colts. Illinois and Highbury advertised their claims when first and second in the Group 2 Queen’s Vase over the 1m6f St. Leger distance at Royal Ascot – with the former, in particular, appearing to relish the challenge.
Finally, Grosvenor Square is without a win in 2024 but put in a big effort to finish second in the Comer Group International Curragh Cup over 1m6f in July. Only reeled in close home by four-year-old stablemate Tower Of London, he finished seven lengths clear of the Willie Mullins star Vauban and may be open to further improvement over staying trips. If missing Doncaster, he looks a likely sort for a trip down under to tackle the Melbourne Cup.