Tag Archive for: St Leger Festival

Major blow to crowd hopes as final three days of Leger festival go behind closed doors

Doncaster will stage the final three days of the St Leger Festival behind closed doors after the local council called a halt to the crowd pilot scheme at the track.

The Town Moor venue welcomed an estimated 2,500 spectators to Wednesday’s opening day, with that figure planned to rise around 6,000 for the Pertemps St Leger on Saturday.

However, the pilot began under the shadow of revised Government guidance that was outlined late on Tuesday evening, with gatherings to be limited to just six from Monday, rather than the 30-people limit that is in place now.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was due to make a statement on the issue at 4pm, but Doncaster Council preempted that move by announcing it had instructed Arena Racing Company, which operates the track, to complete the meeting behind closed doors.

Mark Spincer, managing director of ARC’s racing division, said: “We have had confirmation this afternoon from the local authority that we will not be able to admit a crowd to the final three days of the St Leger Festival, Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 September.

“The race meeting will continue on a ‘behind closed doors’ basis, as per all other race meetings currently taking place in Britain.

“This pilot event represents a hugely important step not just for our business but for the whole of British racing as well as the sports and hospitality industries as a whole. We do, of course, fully understand and respect the decision and will be contacting all of our customers booked for the remaining three days as a matter of urgency.

“We were pleased to work closely with Doncaster Council to set up this pilot event in the manner that we had, but matters beyond anyone’s control, and the data that regarding local rates that have come to light today, mean we will not be able to welcome a crowd from Thursday onwards.

“We would, of course, like to thank all of our customers for their support in the run up to this event as well as our staff who have done a monumental job in preparing the site.”

Dr Rupert Suckling, director of public health for Doncaster, said in a statement: “I wanted to update you on the St Leger and my position considering the factors I mentioned in my previous message. However, as I have already said, I am assessing the situation daily against the 10 tests I set out to hold the event.

“I am concerned that the 10th and final test covering critical incident risks addressed throughout the event such as managing gatherings of people, public disorder risks across the borough, will be jeopardised by potentially more people meeting up ahead of any further Government changes to the coronavirus advice this weekend.

“The current rate of infection for the borough currently stands at 10.6 infections per 100,000 people which I have been updated on today and this is an increase due to a range of factors including an increase in testing and a lag in the test results coming in.

“Therefore on the grounds of public health and public safety, I have instructed the racecourse to hold the St Leger Festival behind closed doors from tomorrow.

“The day’s racing will continue today as it is safer to manage racegoers on site and with enhanced test and trace, it will be easier to identify where they are from rather than closing the event today and leaving people to their own devices in Doncaster and the borough generally.

“I appreciate this decision may not be met with universal agreement but it is the safest and most appropriate way to move forward for everyone’s best interests in the borough and beyond.”

A similar pilot scheme planned for the final day of Glorious Goodwood last month was called off the day before the meeting due to revised Government guidance, but hopes had been high the four days on Town Moor – the first day of crowds since the coronavirus shutdown in March – would signal the beginning of a gradual return to something like normality.

Local hero Duffield has fond memories of User Friendly – and Nijinsky

Yorkshiremen are a proud breed – and that was certainly how George Duffield felt when he won the St Leger at Doncaster on User Friendly in 1992.

Born in the village of Stanley, near Wakefield, about 35 miles from the racecourse on Town Moor, Duffield never expected to be the toast of the county by winning the world’s oldest Classic.

That was until the brilliant User Friendly came along and it was not long into her three-year-old career that Duffield made a bold prediction to her connections.

“I’m not into bold statements – I never have been – but I made one then and told Bill Gredley (owner/breeder) she’d win the Leger,” he said.

“I thought that when she won the Oaks. She was by a Derby winner (Slip Anchor) out of a good staying mare (Rostova, by another Derby hero in Blakeney).

George Duffield drives User Friendly to victory in the Oaks
George Duffield drives User Friendly to victory in the Oaks (PA)

“I had no stamina concerns whatsoever. Not only did she stay well, she had class and the ability to be a top-class Group One filly.

“She could go a good gallop. If you stretched them from three or four furlongs down they would struggle to get by you.

“She had a lot of quality and a great cruising speed and did all the right things and kept improving all year.

“I won a mile-and-a-quarter maiden on her at Sandown. Then she won the Oaks trial at Lingfield, the Oaks, the Irish Oaks, the Yorkshire Oaks and the Leger.”

The race itself went pretty smoothly, with User Friendly tracking the leaders as Mack The Knife set the pace before hitting the front two furlongs out and putting the race to bed.

Sent off the 7-4 favourite in a field of seven, the Clive Brittain-trained filly quickly showed her superiority and went on to beat Sonus by three and a half lengths.

“Being a Yorkshireman and born not far from Doncaster, winning a Leger was something I thought I would never achieve and also to get to wear one of those silly caps!

“She was a pleasure to ride and she was a very good filly.”

George Duffield had the pleasure of riding in the historic Leger won by Nijinsky
George Duffield had the pleasure of riding in the historic Leger won by Nijinsky (PA)

Duffield’s first ride in the St Leger had been a totally different experience.

It was 1970, the year of the mighty Nijinsky’s successful quest to become the first winner of the Triple Crown since 1935 – one of only four in peacetime during the 20th century and the last to date.

He was assigned by trainer Peter Walwyn to ride King Of The Castle, the 100-1 complete outsider, as a pacemaker for the stable’s first string, Rock Roi.

It did not go to plan, as Duffield recalled – but there was at least one humorous moment he shared with Nijnisky’s jockey Lester Piggott during the race.

“I was supposed to make the running, but they went so fast I couldn’t get to the front so I just sat in there and rode a normal race. The pace was strong enough for Rock Roi anyway,” he said.

“I did see Nijinsky. Lester had a chat with me just after the mile gate. We were about to set sail for home and head towards the turn for home. Lester stopped alongside me and said in his usual voice, ‘I bet you wouldn’t mind riding this’.”

Piggott and Nijinsky went on to make racing history, while Duffield and his no-hoper finished tailed off last of the nine runners.

However, he did not leave Doncaster empty-handed that day. He had the last winner on the card, Fairzan, for Jack Calvert in a staying handicap.

George Duffield steered Aristotle to a big-race victory for Aidan O'Brien at Doncaster
George Duffield steered Aristotle to a big-race victory for Aidan O’Brien at Doncaster (John Giles/PA)

Duffield never had much chance to win a second Leger, but he did capture the Champagne Stakes on Unblest for James Fanshawe in 1993. And he had other notable winners on Town Moor, such as Aristotle in the Racing Post Trophy in 1999 for Aidan O’Brien, as well as two victories in the November Handicap.

“Doncaster was very lucky for me,” he said.

Duffield retired professionally in March 2005 at the age of 58, after a career spanning over 40 years that yielded 2547 winners.

He could not quite kick the habit for good and returned to ride in the early editions of the Leger Legends race that has been staged on the first day of the meeting since 2010.

“I couldn’t quite manage to win it. I was second, third and fourth,” he said.

“I thought I might just have mugged Mick Kinane one year, but I just couldn’t quite get there.”

George Duffield enjoyed some famous days in the saddle
George Duffield enjoyed some famous days in the saddle (Anna Gowthorpe/PA)

He is married to North Yorkshire trainer Ann Duffield and still plays an active role. He also keeps a close eye on the wider racing picture.

“I’ll be watching. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I never miss any of the big races,” he said.

As for this year’s St Leger, he feels Pyledriver will go close if he lasts out the extended mile and three-quarters.

“If he stays he will be a big factor in the race,” he said.

“I wouldn’t be certain he’d get a mile and six, but they have to go for it. It’s one of those years when you have to take your chance.”

Smart renewal of Flying Childers in prospect at Doncaster

Old adversaries The Lir Jet and Ventura Tormenta are to clash for a third time in a fascinating renewal of the Bombardier Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster on Friday.

Ventura Tormenta got the verdict by a short head when the pair were first and second in the Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly in July.

Things did not go right for Richard Hannon’s charge in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, finishing last, while in contrast The Lir Jet, trained by Michael Bell, was promoted to second spot from third in the stewards’ room.

Steel Bull, who also ran in the Phoenix, is among the field of 11 declared for the Group Two dash over five furlongs.

The son of Clodovil, trained in Ireland by Michael O’Callaghan, was only seventh at the Curragh after breaking two teeth when hitting his head in the stalls.

He is better judged on his victory in the Molecomb Stakes over this trip at Goodwood.

The other two Irish challengers are Ger Lyons’ filly Frenetic, who is a dual Listed winner, and Johnny Murtagh’s Measure Of Magic.

William Haggas runs his Lowther runner-up Sacred, with Gimcrack also-rans Mohawk King and Ubettavbelieveit are also in the mix.

Completing the line-up are Burning Cash, Perotto and Winter Power.

The bet365 Doncaster Cup is very much up for grabs, with last year’s winner and champion stayer Stradivarius being saved for a crack at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Nayef Road, runner-up to Stradivarius in the Ascot Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup this summer, was a surprise absentee after seven were declared.

Revolver takes a mighty hike up in class after a series of six handicap victories in staying races have seen his rating soar from 57 to 98.

His trainer Sir Mark Prescott lifted this coveted prize with another three-year-old, Alleluia, in 2001.

It looks a wide-open event with the Ed Dunlop-trained Red Verdon, David Simcock’s Eagles By Day and Andrew Balding’s Spanish Mission having solid Group-race form.

Heather Main’s Island Brave, the James Fanshawe-trained Selino and The Grand Visir, from the Ian Williams stable, make up the septet.

Spycatcher, Royal Scimitar and Darvel, who were second, fourth and seventh respectively behind Gear Up in the Acomb Stakes at York, feature in a field of 11 declared for the bet365 Flying Scotsman Stakes.

Solario Stakes third Apollo One and promising types such as Laneqash and Round Six are also in the Listed heat over seven furlongs.

Doncaster welcomes return of crowds – but pilot scheme remains in the balance

Racegoers began to arrive at Doncaster before racing on Wednesday – but for how long the pilot scheme continues remains up in the air.

A Government announcement is due at 4pm, when Prime Minister Boris Johnson will give a news briefing outlining the latest guidelines for sporting events following the change in policy which restricts social gatherings from a maximum of 30 people to just six.

An estimated 2,500 spectators were expected on Wednesday, with that figure gradually rising to around 6,000 for the Pertemps St Leger on Saturday.

A similar pilot scheme planned for the final day of Glorious Goodwood last month was called off the day before the meeting.

Hopes had been high the four days on Town Moor – the first day of crowds since the coronavirus shutdown in March – would signal the beginning of a gradual return to something like normality.

Doncaster has made several changes to accommodate the return of paying customers, with designated zones allocated to various groups, including annual members and owners.

The pilot holds huge significance, not just for racing but sport as a whole, with the industry hoping everything goes smoothly which would aid the return of crowds to all sports.

While the cancellation of the scheme, should it happen, would be a hammer blow again, it is key Wednesday’s event goes without a hitch.

The track is run by Arena Racing Company and their PR and communications manager Sam Cone said it was “business as usual” until they hear anything different.

“We can’t comment on what may or may not be announced later,” said Cone.

“It’s business as usual as far as we’re concerned, we’ve just got to continue as we are until we hear anything different from Government.”

Santiago to lead O’Brien trio in St Leger

Santiago will lead a three-strong team for Aidan O’Brien in the Pertemps St Leger – with Tiger Moth set to head elsewhere.

Irish Derby winner Santiago is set to be joined at Doncaster on Saturday by Dawn Patrol and Mythical.

Tiger Moth, a fast-finishing second to Santiago in the Curragh Classic, has options at home this weekend – or could even join stablemate and Investec Derby winner Serpentine in the Grand Prix de Paris.

“We’re going to run three at Doncaster – Dawn Patrol, Mythical and Santiago – that’s the plan at the moment,” said O’Brien.

“Tiger Moth could either go to Leopardstown or Longchamp, the Grand Prix with Serpentine or the Kilternan (Paddy Power ‘Is It 2021 Yet?’ Stakes) at Leopardstown.”

O’Brien confirmed recently that Frankie Dettori is likely to be part of his team for the Classic once again – the two having teamed up for St Leger success in 2005 with Scorpion.

However, final riding plans are still to be confirmed – with William Buick, who had been mooted, likely to be in Ireland to ride Ghaiyyath at Leopardstown.

“We have Frankie booked, obviously, and I think Adam Kirby might be booked,” said O’Brien.

“But what happens is the horses will all have their tests in the next few days, and we’ll confirm everything after that.”

Stormy Girl in good shape for Sceptre challenge

Stormy Girl broke new ground for Rebecca Menzies when providing the dual-purpose trainer with a first Listed win recently and the filly now steps up to Group Three class in the bet365 Sceptre Fillies’ Stakes at Doncaster.

Bar a disappointing run at York in July, the daughter of Night Of Thunder has been consistent since joining Menzies from David Loughnane.

Before her impressive win at Pontefract last time out, she had gone close behind classy types such as Liberty Beach and Under The Stars, but she is stepping back up in trip on Town Moor.

“Obviously she’s stepping up in class, but she’s every right to be there as she won quite easily at Pontefract,” said Menzies.

“On her first two starts for me at Haydock this year she ran really well, including over seven on one of those.

“The ground drying out wouldn’t worry me – she is very versatile – and hopefully she’s good enough to be placed at least.

“The Listed seven-furlong race she ran in at Haydock was a very good one for the grade, so I think she’s up to it.

“She’s had a good prep between Pontefract and now, she’s had a really clear run and is going there in good form. The rest of our horses continue to run well, too, so you’d have to be hopeful of a good run.”

Richard Hannon’s 1000 Guineas runner-up Cloak Of Spirits arguably sets the standard, while the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Jubiloso needs to put a disappointing effort at Royal Ascot behind her.

Mubtasimah, Althiqa and Onassis are others who bring a strong level of form to the table.

There is also a high-class renewal of the bet365 Scarbrough Stakes on the card, with Dakota Gold and Nunthorpe third Moss Gill carrying 10st 2lb due to the presence of the juvenile fillies Acklam Express and Country Carnival.

Dakota Gold returned to winning ways in the Beverley Bullet last month and finished second to Starman at York on Sunday.

“It was just while we had his suitable ground we thought we’d go again and hopefully it doesn’t dry up too much,” said Dods.

“Obviously it comes quick after York, but he seems well. Unfortunately the two-year-old fillies were declared so the weights went up at declaration, which I don’t really agree with as we thought we’d be carrying 10st.

“He’s well, James Bethell’s horse (Moss Gill) will obviously be tough to beat after his run in the Nunthorpe, but hopefully he puts up a good performance.

“He’s run back quickly before when he won the Great St Wilfrid and then won at York a few days after, but they were handicaps and now he’s in Listed company.

“We just thought at this stage of the season – and it’s been such a strange season – we should give him the chance again.”

Makanah, Tarboosh and Johnny Murtagh’s Urban Beat are others in the reckoning.

Dettori teams up with old ally Dunlop in Leger Legends

Ed Dunlop considers himself “honoured” to have Frankie Dettori riding Roca Magica for him in the Mondialiste Leger Legends Classified Stakes at Doncaster on Wednesday.

The 49-year-old Italian jockey has won just about everything in the game – and was determined to sign up for the race when conditions were changed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In the past it has been exclusively for retired riders, but this year it is for current professionals only, due to Covid-19 restrictions.

It has become an established attraction on the opening day of the St Leger Festival on Town Moor since its inception in 2010, and has raised more than £1.1million for Jack Berry House and the Northern Racing College.

Trainer Ed Dunlop was delighted to acquire the services of Frankie Dettori
Trainer Ed Dunlop was delighted to acquire the services of Frankie Dettori (Simon Cooper/PA)

Dunlop and Dettori have successfully teamed up in many big races over the years, including with Lailani (2001 Irish Oaks and Nassau Stakes), Ouija Board (2006 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare and Nassau Stakes) and Snow Fairy (2012 Irish Champion Stakes).

This may be low key in comparison, but both trainer and jockey are taking it very seriously.

“Frankie was very keen to ride in the race – it’s the Legends race and we’ve got a legend riding for us, so we’re very honoured,” said Dunlop.

Roca Magica has had a busy year, despite racing being shut down from the middle of March until the beginning of June.

The four-year-old filly has run 12 times, winning five of them, and Dunlop reports his charge to be in rude health, though he cannot estimate what effect her far-side draw in a field of 22 will have on the outcome.

“Drawn one, I’m not sure that’s ideal, but this filly has been a star. She’s won five races this year. She seems in very good form,” said the Newmarket trainer.

Many other stars of the turf are in action, including Tom Queally, who became a household name as the ever-present rider of Frankel, arguably the greatest horse of all time.

Tom Queally is famed for his exploits with Frankel
Tom Queally is famed for his exploits with Frankel (Anna Gowthorpe/PA)

Queally rides the John Ryan-trained Catch My Breath, who is drawn on the opposite side of the track to Dettori’s mount in stall 22.

Paul Hanagan is back firing on all cylinders after recently returning from a long spell on the sidelines. The champion jockey of 2010 and 2011, he rides Lexington Warfare for Richard Fahey.

Jim Crowley, who took the title in 2016, has had a tremendous season do far. He teams up with Jamie Osborne on Mykonos St John.

Among other top names taking part are William Buick, Danny Tudhope, Graham Lee and Tom Marquand.

Logician returns to Doncaster

Last year’s St Leger hero Logician is set to make his eagerly-awaited return to action at Doncaster on Thursday.

The unbeaten Frankel colt, trained by John Gosden, has been absent since his Classic success on Town Moor 12 months ago.

Frankie Dettori’s mount will face just two rivals in the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Conditions Stakes over an extended 10 furlongs – the Charlie Appleby-trained Mythical Magic and Sir Michael Stoute’s dual Group Three scorer Zaaki.

Yorkshire Oaks runner-up Alpinista is one of eight fillies declared for the bet365 Park Hill Stakes.

Sir Mark Prescott’s three-year-old was beaten five lengths by the brilliant Love on the Knavesmire and steps up from a mile and a half to an extended mile and three-quarters in the Group Two heat.

Stoute sends out Galtres Stakes runner-up Vivionn – with William Haggas saddling Monica Sheriff, who was fourth in the Ebor after a long absence.

Roger Varian’s Believe In Love has won her last four races, and there is strong Irish representation in Joseph O’Brien’s Pista (William Buick) and the Aidan O’Brien-trained Snow (Dettori). David O’Meara’s Makawee and Charlie Fellowes’ Dubious Affair complete the field.

Kevin Ryan’s Star Of Emaraaty, shock winner of the Group Three Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket last time, sets the standard in the bet365 May Hill Fillies’ Stakes.

Dettori and Gosden team up with the once-raced Yarmouth winner Indigo Girl as she steps into Group Two company – while another unbeaten runner among the nine-strong line-up is the Varian-trained Zabeel Queen, who created a good impression in her Ascot success.

Chindit set to bid for Champagne glory

Chindit is on course to try to give trainer Richard Hannon a third victory in the bet365 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

The Marlbourgh handler took Saturday’s Group Two contest for two-year-olds over seven furlongs with Threat 12 months ago and Estidhkaar in 2014 – while his father won it three times.

Chindit is unbeaten in two starts, having taken a Listed contest at Ascot in July following a debut success over this seven furlongs earlier that month.

Karl Burke may give Spycatcher the chance to lose his maiden tag, after finishing second in the Group Three Acomb Stakes at York last month.

Broxi, who was third that day for Keith Dalgleish, is also among the 16 entries.

Owen Burrow’s Albasheer, who romped home by six and a half lengths over the course and distance on debut in July, is an interesting contender – along with Roger Varian’s Newbury Listed victor Saint Lawrence.

There are eight possibles from Ireland – Joseph O’Brien’s Snapraeterea, State Of Rest, Thunder Moon and Vafortino, three trained by his father Aidan, Duke Of Mantua, St Mark’s Basilica and Wembley and John Joseph Murphy’s Charterhouse.

Limato could try to repeat his win five years ago in the bet365 Park Stakes.

Henry Candy’s stable stalwart lifted the Group Two heat over the straight seven furlongs as a three-year-old in 2015, on his only previous attempt.

The Tagula gelding has won a host of major races in his career, including two Group Ones. He took his Pattern-race tally to 12 when successful in the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket in June.

One of Limato’s two triumphs at the top level was in the Prix de la Foret in 2016.

One Master, who has won the last two renewals of the Longchamp feature, is also among 15 entries for the Park Stakes.

Others include Breathtaking Look, Glorious Journey, Molatham and Marie’s Diamond.

Aidan O’Brien has three possibles – Lancaster House, Arizona and Wichita – while Joseph O’Brien’s Speak In Colours takes the Irish representation to four.

Pyledriver spot on for St Leger challenge

William Muir is confident Pyledriver is at the top of his game for the Pertemps St Leger at Doncaster.

The Harbour Watch colt was a 40-1 shot when runner-up on his seasonal reappearance at Kempton in early June, but has made giant strides since and disputes favouritism with the Aidan O’Brien-trained Santiago for the season’s final Classic on Saturday.

Muir acknowledges success on Town Moor would be a huge achievement for his small team during a time when, more often than not, the top prizes go to the bigger yards.

He said: “There’s a great mood in the camp. We have seven staff riding out, three staff in the yard, the staff in the office and me. It’s a small team, and everyone is delighted.

“We have about 26 horses. We’re not a fashionable yard – everyone wants somebody younger and more fashionable. It’s just one of those things, but if this horse could go and win on Saturday it would be fantastic for the whole team and everyone around it.”

A surprise win in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot was followed by a luckless run in the Derby at Epsom, since when Pyledriver has given weight and a sound beating to his rivals in the Great Voltigeur at York last month.

Muir revealed the colt’s owners have received “life-changing” offers to sell over the course of the summer, but have so far resisted all potential buyers for a horse who did not even meet his reserve of £10,000 when sent to the sales as a foal.

William Muir with Pyledriver after his Royal Ascot triumph
William Muir with Pyledriver after his Royal Ascot triumph (Edward Whitaker/PA)

“Anybody can come into this game, go out with a relatively small amount of money and you can find these good horses. They’re hard to come by, but you can find them,” Muir added.

“The owners have turned down some big offers. If the offers had been accepted I don’t think he would have stayed in this country – places like Australia and Hong Kong wanted him really badly.

“If one person had owned him, you couldn’t have said no to the kind of offers we got – it was life-changing money – but there’s three of them, and they wanted to keep him.”

The Lambourn handler insists he could not be happier with his stable star as he completes preparations for a race that is part of the 2020 Qipco British Champions Series – and he is optimistic the son of unbeaten sprinter Harbour Watch will stay the distance of a mile and three-quarters.

“He’s in great order and has done all the work he needs to do. As long as he stays like this for the rest of the week, I couldn’t be taking him there in better shape,” said Muir.

“I’ve always been a glass-half-full kind of person – my glass is always overflowing, to be fair.

“I think he will stay and I think we’ve got a great chance, but it is a horse race. I thought we had a great chance in the Derby, and it all went wrong, but you shake yourself down and go again.”

Whatever happens this weekend, Muir already has his eyes on some other major races – both this year and next.

“He’ll go for the Champion Stakes at Ascot after Saturday, as long as the hose is fine. That will be his last run of the year, because we’re not going abroad – it’s too difficult with the Covid,” Muir added.

“Next year is mapped out already in my mind. You could start off at Newmarket in the Jockey Club Stakes, then you’d go Coronation Cup at Epsom, Hardwicke at Royal Ascot, the King George – and at the back-end of the season, if we’re out of this Covid, we could go for the Arc.”

Pyledriver was one of 15 horses left in the St Leger at Monday’s confirmation stage.

As well as Santiago, Aidan O’Brien may be represented by Dawn Patrol, Mythical and Tiger Moth – while his son Joseph could saddle the progressive Galileo Chrome.

English King is among Pyledriver's potential rivals
English King is among Pyledriver’s potential rivals (Mark Cranham/PA)

Other leading hopes include the Owen Burrows-trained Hukum, Mark Johnston’s Subjectivist and Ed Walker’s English King.

The latter also has the option of running in the Grand Prix de Paris the following afternoon.

“He’s in great form and is all set to run somewhere this weekend,” said Walker.

“We’ll have a look at both races during the week, see what the ground is looking like and decide where we go.

“We’ll make a decision much closer to the time.”