Christmas Day Bids to End 39-Year Wait for Derby-St Leger Double

Christmas Day remains on course to chase a rare piece of British racing history after the Derby winner featured among 12 confirmations for Saturday’s Betfred St Leger at Doncaster Racecourse.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt will attempt to become the first horse since Reference Point in 1987 to win both the Derby and St Leger in the same season. Christmas Day is one of five possible Ballydoyle runners still involved in the 250th running of the world’s oldest Classic, with O’Brien also looking to extend his own outstanding recent record in the Doncaster showpiece.

Experience the St Leger Festival with Eventmasters

The Betfred St Leger Festival takes place at Doncaster Racecourse from Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th September, with Eventmasters offering VIP hospitality across the four days of racing.

Saturday’s St Leger is the centrepiece of the meeting, giving racegoers the chance to watch the final British Classic of the season from premium surroundings. With Christmas Day chasing a historic Classic double and the St Leger itself celebrating its 250th running, demand is expected to be high for one of the biggest afternoons on the Flat racing calendar.

Christmas Day Chases Classic History at Doncaster

Christmas Day heads towards Doncaster with the chance to achieve a feat that has become increasingly rare in modern racing.

Reference Point was the last Derby winner to add the St Leger in the same season when he completed the Classic double in 1987. Thirty-nine years later, Christmas Day could finally bring that wait to an end.

His most recent appearance came in last month’s Great Voltigeur Stakes at York, one of the traditional trials for the St Leger. Christmas Day finished third behind Maltese Cross, with fellow Ballydoyle runner Pierre Bonnard taking second.

Maltese Cross is no longer among the St Leger contenders, but Pierre Bonnard remains in contention and could face Christmas Day again on Saturday. The longer distance at Doncaster will provide another test for both horses as they step up to the extended one-mile-and-six-furlong trip.

O’Brien Holds Five Strong St Leger Options

Aidan O’Brien could have a significant presence in the final field, with Christmas Day joined by Action, Amelia Earhart, Piazza San Marco and Pierre Bonnard among the latest confirmations.

The Ballydoyle trainer is chasing a fourth consecutive victory in the race after dominating the St Leger in recent seasons. Another success would also be particularly significant in the landmark 250th running of the Classic.

Christmas Day is the clear headline act among O’Brien’s remaining options because of his Derby success, but Pierre Bonnard arrives after finishing ahead of his stablemate at York. Amelia Earhart, Piazza San Marco and Action provide further possibilities ahead of the final declarations.

O’Brien’s five remaining horses also make Ballydoyle responsible for almost half of the current contenders, underlining the strength of the Irish challenge heading into the closing stages before the race.

Unbeaten Enceladus Steps Up in Class

Joseph O’Brien could be represented by Enceladus and Highwayman, meaning seven of the 12 remaining horses are trained by either Aidan or Joseph O’Brien.

Enceladus is one of the more interesting challengers after winning all three of his starts this season. His latest victory came in the Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, and Saturday could now see him step up to Group 1 level for the first time.

The unbeaten colt therefore offers a different profile to some of the more established Classic contenders. While Christmas Day brings proven Derby form to Doncaster, Enceladus arrives with an unbeaten record in 2026 and the opportunity to continue his progression at the highest level.

Highwayman is Joseph O’Brien’s other remaining entry as the Irish-trained challenge continues to dominate the possible field.

Hatteen Among Leading British Hopes

Five British-trained horses remain among the confirmations, headed by Andrew Balding’s pair Hatteen and Galiyan.

Hatteen has emerged as one of the more prominent home-trained contenders following the removal of Charlie Appleby’s Del Maro from the race. Del Maro had been among Godolphin’s potential representatives, but his absence means there will be no Godolphin runner taking on the Ballydoyle contingent in Saturday’s Classic.

Richard Hannon could be represented by Alderman, while Karl Burke’s Golden Story and Faye Bramley’s Rebel Rocker complete the current British-trained challenge.

The strength in numbers remains firmly with the Irish runners, but the final declarations will determine exactly how many of the 12 confirmed contenders make it to Doncaster on Saturday.

2026 St Leger Confirmations

The 12 horses remaining in contention are:

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

Attention will now turn towards the final declarations as the field for Saturday’s St Leger takes shape.

For Christmas Day, however, the objective is already clear. Victory at Doncaster would add another Classic to his Derby success and make him the first horse in 39 years to complete one of British Flat racing’s most difficult doubles.

St Leger 2026 FAQs

When is the 2026 St Leger?

The 2026 Betfred St Leger takes place at Doncaster Racecourse on Saturday 12th September. It forms the centrepiece of the four-day St Leger Festival.

How many horses remain in the 2026 St Leger?

There are 12 horses among the latest confirmations for the St Leger. The final field will be established following the declaration stage ahead of Saturday’s race.

Can Christmas Day win the Derby and St Leger double?

Christmas Day won the Derby earlier this season and remains in contention for the St Leger. If successful at Doncaster, he would become the first horse since Reference Point in 1987 to win both Classics in the same season.

Who trains Christmas Day?

Christmas Day is trained by Aidan O’Brien, who has five horses among the latest St Leger confirmations. O’Brien is also looking to win the race for a fourth consecutive year.

Who are Aidan O’Brien’s St Leger contenders?

Christmas Day, Action, Amelia Earhart, Piazza San Marco and Pierre Bonnard are the five Aidan O’Brien-trained horses among the 12 confirmations.

Does Eventmasters offer St Leger hospitality?

Yes. Eventmasters offers VIP hospitality for the Betfred St Leger Festival at Doncaster Racecourse, allowing guests to experience the meeting with premium dining, hospitality and excellent views of the racing.