About the race
The St Leger Stakes is a Group 1 Classic over about 1m6f at Doncaster for three-year-olds, with geldings excluded. Doncaster Racecourse, part of Arena Racing Company, describes it as the world’s oldest Classic, founded in 1776 by Colonel Anthony St Leger, and as the final Classic of the season. It is the feature of the four-day Betfred St Leger Festival in September, and the 2026 running, the 250th, was worth GBP 700,000.
Scandinavia won the 2025 running on 13 September for Aidan O’Brien under Tom Marquand, having won the Goodwood Cup in July. On 12 September 2026 Highwayman, trained by Joseph O’Brien, won and his rider Saffie Osborne became the first female jockey to win a British Classic, Doncaster said. Doncaster lists the 2027 St Leger Festival for 9 to 12 September 2027.
The 2025 running
| Date | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 September 2025 | Scandinavia (USA) | Tom Marquand | Aidan O'Brien | Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier |
From the official result.
The 2026 running
| Date | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 September 2026 | Highwayman (FR) | Saffie Osborne | Joseph O'Brien | John Ioannis Neocleous |
From the official result.
Recognition and facts
- Status
- Described by Doncaster as the world's oldest Classic and the final Classic of the season
- 2026 running
- The 250th, on Saturday 12 September 2026
- 2027 St Leger Festival
- 9 to 12 September 2027
- 2025 winner's prize
- GBP 396,970
Questions readers ask
When is the St Leger run?
At Doncaster's Betfred St Leger Festival in September. The 2026 running was on Saturday 12 September, and Doncaster lists the 2027 festival for 9 to 12 September.
What is the prize fund of the St Leger?
Doncaster stated the 250th running in 2026 was worth GBP 700,000.
Who won the St Leger in 2025?
Scandinavia, trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Tom Marquand, won on 13 September 2025.
Sources
The rank and rating are from the IFHA's LONGINES World's Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races 2025, published 21 January 2026, which ranks races by the ratings of their first four finishers. Other facts are from the pages listed below.
- IFHA: LONGINES World's Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races 2025 (published 21 January 2026)
- Betfred St Leger history, Doncaster Racecourse
- Betfred St Leger Festival, Doncaster Racecourse
- 250th Betfred St Leger Festival sees first female British Classic winner, Doncaster Racecourse
- Major players declared for blockbuster renewal of 250th Betfred St Leger, Doncaster Racecourse
- Racing Post result: Betfred St Leger Stakes, Doncaster, 13 September 2025