St Leger 2026: result and what it means for the stamina division
Highwayman denied the favourite in the 250th St Leger, but the bigger story was Christmas Day’s injury.
Highwayman, trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Saffie Osborne, won the 250th Betfred St Leger at 11/1He held on despite hanging right in the final furlong, completing a remarkable stable one-two with stablemate Enceladus.
But the defining moment of the 250th running belonged to the beaten favourite. Christmas Day, sent off at 7/4, faded to finish ninth, with a vet confirming lameness in his right hind leg afterwards.
How the race was run
Action set out to make the running for the Aidan O’Brien camp, leading clear after four furlongs before being reeled in.
Christmas Day briefly hit the front three furlongs out, the moment that should have confirmed his Classic claims. He weakened almost immediately, though, and the vet’s report afterwards explained why.
Highwayman, having taken keen hold in midfield, found his stride two furlongs out and battled on gamely, hanging right under pressure but doing enough.
Enceladus, always working hard for a clear run, found trouble in the final two furlongs before rallying to chase home his stablemate. Amelia Earhart, another 22/1 chance, stormed home for third in the shadow of the post.
Did the favourite stay?
Our preview had raised a genuine question over Christmas Day’s stamina, given he was only third at York over a shorter trip. In the end, stamina was not the issue.
He led early and again briefly at the three-furlong pole, showing no obvious signs of struggling for that part of the race. He then faded sharply, consistent with the injury subsequently confirmed by the veterinary team.
Pierre Bonnard, sent off second favourite at 3/1, never landed a blow either. He hung left and weakened gradually to finish sixth, well behind the front two.
What it means for the division
For Joseph O’Brien, a stable one-two in the 250th St Leger is a career highlight. Both horses now look festival-quality performers heading into the back end of the season.
For Christmas Day, the immediate focus shifts to the extent of the injury rather than his racing programme. It is a sobering end to a campaign that began with Derby glory at Epsom.
The result also adds another entry to a race with a long history of humbling market leaders, a theme our look back at Great St Leger upsets explored in full before the race.
A historic St Leger
Saffie Osborne, 24, became the first female jockey to win a British Classic race, steering the 11-1 shot Highwayman to victory for trainer Joseph O’Brien in the 250th running of the St Leger.
Osborne did not even have a ride in the race going into the week, only being jocked up by O’Brien at the last moment. Stablemate Enceladus, ridden by Billy Loughnane, finished second, two and a half lengths back, giving the trainer the first two home.
“I’m in shock. I burst into tears,” Osborne told Racing Post. “When I saw it was the 250th year I thought there has to be a good story this year.” She received the Betfred St Leger Trophy from Princess Anne. Osborne is the daughter of former National Hunt jockey and trainer Jamie Osborne.
Key facts
- Result: 1st Highwayman (11/1), 2nd Enceladus (5/2, beaten 2½l), 3rd Amelia Earhart (22/1, beaten 4¼l)
- SP / going: Good (Good to Soft in places)
- Trainer / jockey: Joseph O’Brien / Saffie Osborne
- Prize: £396,970 to the winner
- Milestone: 250th running of the St Leger, first held in 1776
- Of note: favourite Christmas Day faded to finish ninth, with a vet confirming lameness in his right hind leg afterwards
