The 2026 St Leger, the final Classic of the flat season, features a field of 11 top three-year-olds at Doncaster. Clear market leaders include Epsom Derby winner Christmas Day and unbeaten Enceladus, while Pierre Bonnard and other contenders compete for glory. However, this renewal is viewed as subpar in depth and quality, prompting a recommendation to back outsider Galiyan each-way at attractive odds of 40/1. Galiyan's consistent improvement and suitability for the trip could provide value for punters over better-fancied runners.
Odds and betting predictions for the 2026 St Leger
This Classic takes place at Doncaster on Saturday 12th September
We're backing Galiyan each-way at 40/1
The St Leger at Doncaster. (Getty)
The final Classic of the season takes place on the second Saturday in September, as a field of classy three-year-olds do battle in the St Leger. This 14-furlong contest has been won by many top quality three-year-olds and a final field of 11 has been declared for this year's renewal.
Here's our free guide to the 2026 St Leger, including our best betting tips.
2026 St Leger Odds
Name
Odds
Christmas Day
15/8
Enceladus
11/4
Pierre Bonnard
3/1
Del Maro
14/1
Hatteen
20/1
Bar
25/1
2026 St Leger Runners
Epsom Derby winner Christmas Day tops the betting for the final Classic of the season. Aidan O'Brien's colt has been beaten twice since that surprise win at Epsom, first finishing second to Benvenuto Cellini in the Irish Derby, before a third-place finish in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.
Christmas Day is the only horse in this year's St Leger who has won a Group One or a Group Two this season. The only other seasonal Group-race winner is Joseph O'Brien's Enceladus, who maintained his unbeaten record in 2026 by winning the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Pierre Bonnard is yet to win this season, but jumped up to third in the St Leger betting after finishing ahead of Christmas Day when second to Maltese Cross in the Great Voltigeur. Saffie Osborne gets the ride on Joseph O'Brien's second-string Highwayman, with Billy Loughnane partnering with Enceladus.
Galiyan slipped down this Classic market after a heavy defeat in the Great Voltigeur. He's one of two runners for Andrew Balding, who is also represented by Goodwood handicap runner-up Hatteen, ridden by Faleh Bughenaim. Action will be on pace-making duties again for Aidan O'Brien, who also runs beaten Epsom Oaks favourite Amelia Earhart.
Alderman and Rebel Rocker appear in their second Classics of the season, having both recorded top six finishes in the Epsom Derby. Karl Burke's Listed winner Golden Story completes the field.
2026 St Leger Tips
There's no getting around the fact that this is a dreadful renewal of the St Leger. The top three Irish contenders sit miles clear of the rest in terms of ratings, and one of those has failed to win any of his five starts this term.
The leading British hope is rated just 96 and was beaten on his sole start outside novice company. Alderman and Rebel Rocker managed top-six finishes in the Derby, but they were among the outsiders in the field at Epsom, and neither impressed when stepped up in trip next time out.
Christmas Day ran fairly well under a penalty in the Great Voltigeur, finishing third behind Maltese Cross and Pierre Bonnard. Aidan O'Brien's colt produced a similar performance in the Dante before going on to win the Derby, and I see no reason why he won't see out this extended trip. At the prices, I'd rather back him than Pierre Bonnard.
Then there's Enceladus, who'll be looking to cap an unbeaten three-year-old campaign with a Classic victory. Joseph O'Brien's colt won the King George V Handicap nicely at Royal Ascot and was well on top in the closing stages of the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. Billy Loughnane takes the ride, with Joseph's leading jockeys remaining in Ireland for Irish Champions Weekend. However, the form of that Gordon Stakes looks pretty suspect, and Enceladus has never raced beyond a mile and a half.
Galiyan (centre) finishing a close second to Point Of Law in the Bahrain Trophy. (Getty)
I've got no real appetite to back any of the short-priced runners, so I'm going to take a punt on one of the outsiders. GALIYAN (40/1) was hugely disappointing in the Great Voltigeur, but there are plenty of reasons why he could bounce back at Doncaster on Saturday.
Andrew Balding's colt had been steadily improving with every start heading into the Ebor Festival. Galiyan won his maiden at Chester, wasn't beaten all that far despite a flat performance in the Queen's Vase and went close when finishing second to Point Of Law in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket.
Oisin Murphy's mount seemed to be travelling well alongside Christmas Day and Maltese Cross in the Voltigeur. When the pace lifted approaching the final three furlongs, Galiyan couldn't find a change of gear and was soon left floundering as the market leaders moved on to fight out the finish.
Having been off the track for a month and a half following four starts in the space of 12 weeks during the first half of the season, there's a chance Galiyan needed that outing at York. Stepping back up in distance is sure to suit, while a little extra juice in the Doncaster ground should also work in his favour.
Danny Tudhope takes the ride on Galiyan for the first time, and he's no stranger to success at the highest level. A place might be the best Balding and his team can hope for, but I'd still rather back Galiyan each-way at 40/1 than side with one of the market leaders at 7/2 or shorter.
Live Stream
Visit our St Leger Live Stream page if you want to watch any race at Doncaster on Saturday via a mobile or tablet.
Verdict
Galiyan is our each-way selection in the 2026 St Leger.
Best Bet1: Galiyan E/W 2026 St Leger Tips @40/1 at bet365 - 5 Units
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Horse Racing Editor • 15+ Years of Experience, Horse Racing Analyst & Tipster
Jon has been a sports writer and tipster for over 15 years. Over the last decade, he has become completely immersed in all things horse racing. Every race is a puzzle that he is eager to solve.
Favourite races over jumps would include the Brown Advisory Chase (RSA) at the Cheltenham Festival and the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury. On the flat, the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown is the race that excites most each season.
Favourite horses of all time include Vautour, Laurens, Road To Respect, Topofthegame, Saint Calvados and Elegant Escape.
