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In the world of English horse racing, some events stand out. One of them is the British Classics. You’ve perhaps heard of it. It has five races: 2,000 Guineas, 1,000 Guineas, The Oaks, The Derby, and the St Leger Stakes. These races are special. They’re only for horses that are three years old. Why? It’s a time for these young horses to shine.
Now, out of all these races, St Leger is unique. It’s the oldest. While other races occur from late April to June, St. Leger waits until September.
A Little History
The very first St Leger race was back in 1776, on September 24th. Anthony St Leger, an officer and politician, started it. The location? Cantley Common. The original name? ‘Sweepstake of 25 Guineas’. Allabaculia, a filly, won it.
Two years later, in 1778, they renamed it to the St Leger Stakes. It’s stayed at Town Moor, except for a few changes during the World Wars.
A few more facts: The race moved to Scotland in 1989 and to York in 2006. The race length changed slightly in 1813 but has stayed close to the current length. John Scott, a trainer, won it 16 times between 1827 and 1862. His brother, Bill Scott, a jockey, won 9 times from 1821 to 1846.
Betting? It’s big for this race. Whether it’s on the racecourse, somewhere else, or online, many place bets. A surprise was in 1822: Theadore, a big underdog with 200/1 odds, won! This year, there are favorites, but none as big as Galtee More in 1897, who had 1/10 odds and won.
About the St Leger Stakes
This race happens every year in September. In 2023, you’ll find it on Saturday, September 16th. Remember, only three-year-old fillies and colts can take part. How long is the race? It’s 1 mile, 6 furlongs, and 115 yards. Where? At the left-handed, grassy Doncaster Racecourse.
The prize money for the St Leger Stakes in 2023 is quite impressive:
- 1st Place: £421,355.00
- 2nd Place: £159,745.00
- 3rd Place: £79,947.00
- 4th Place: £39,825.00
- 5th Place: £19,986.00
- 6th Place: £10,030.00
If you’re curious about the weights, fillies carry 8 stone, 12 pounds, and colts carry 9 stone, 1 pound.
The race is famous. You can watch it on ITV and RTV. Last year, the prize was big: over £786,000! The horse named Eldar Eldarov, with David Egan as its jockey, won £445,741.
But there’s more. The St Leger Stakes isn’t just one race. It’s the main event of the St Leger Festival. The festival lasts from Thursday, September 14th to Sunday, September 17th. Betfred sponsors it this year, not William Hill. Want to watch? Tickets start at £21.
Conclusion: St Leger Festival prize money
Horses around 4 or 5 years old are at their best in flat racing. The St. Leger Stakes lets fans see these young champs. Gregory is a horse many are watching. He hasn’t lost yet. If he wins this race, he’ll be a star. But he’s not the only one. There are many horses, and betting on an underdog can be exciting.
Lastly, if you’re a fan, keep an ear out. You’ll want to know which jockeys are racing in the 2023 St Leger Stakes.
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