Caballo De Mar seeks to rediscover his finest form at Doncaster

The two-time Group 1 winner will debut in a visor in the Doncaster Cup (G2) at Doncaster RacecourseHacer clic para abrir el panel lateral y obtener más información, where Queenstown looms as a formidable threat; Friday's card at the St Leger Festival will also feature the Flying Childers Stakes (G2) and the traditional Leger Legends race

DONCASTER, England (Special for Turf Diario).— Reviving Caballo De Mar. That will be one of the chief puzzles George Scott aims to solve on Friday, when the accomplished stayer features among eight declaration entries for the Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup (G2-2800 m, turf), a centerpiece feature on the second day of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster RacecourseHacer clic para abrir el panel lateral y obtener más información.

On form, few can contest his headline status. Caballo De Mar closed out 2025 by capturing the Prix du Cadran (G1) and kicked off this season maintaining that elite standard, registering runner-up efforts in both the Dubai Gold Cup(G2) and the Sagaro Stakes (G3), before returning to ParisLongchamp to claim the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (G1) in May to bring his top-level tally to two.

The trouble arose subsequently. His showing in the Gold Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot fell well short of expectations, where he was virtually pulled up, and he failed to build confidence in the Lonsdale Cup (G2) at York, again fading tamely once the pressure intensified.

Scott will attempt to reawaken his star's best form with a key gear change: the son of Phoenix of Spain will race in a visor for the first time. The ambition is to sharpen his focus and rekindle the spark that established him as one of Europe's premier marathon runners.

It will be no easy task, as Ireland sends over Queenstown, a representative for Aidan O’Brien who looms as a formidable threat. Ballydoyle elected to save Scandinavia (Justify) for Sunday's Irish St Leger (G1), routing the son of Galileo—who finished just behind Caballo De Mar in last year's Cadran—to Doncaster instead.

Queenstown made a delayed seasonal reappearance this term, but did so in emphatic fashion by capturing the Irish St Leger Trial (G3) last month. At age six, he appears to be entering the peak form of his career.

Ireland will field two additional contenders. Winday (Galiway), trained by Emmet Mullins, faces a steep step up in class just two weeks after romping in a maiden at Ffos Las, while Henry de Bromhead saddles Ascending (Awtaad).

The field of eight is completed by Berkshire Sundance (Decorated Knight), trained by Andrew Balding; Beylerbeyi(Invincible Spirit), for Ian Williams; Epic Poet (Lope de Vega), presented by David O’Meara; and Peace Belle(Massaat), trained by Jennie Candlish.

The card opens with another key event, the Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes (L) for 2-year-olds, where nine juveniles look to build their black-type credentials. Godolphin holds a strong hand with Nabati (Night of Thunder), trained by Charlie Appleby, and Rock Montreal (Blue Point), from Roger Varian's yard, while Balding sends out Forbidden Fire (No Nay Never), coming off a victory at Salisbury.

Later on, the spotlight turns to the Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes (G2), an all-out sprint for the juvenile generation over five furlongs. Pershaada (Persian Force) will attempt to capitalize on returning to her own age group after trying her luck against older horses in the Nunthorpe Stakes (G1). The Richard Hannon trainee stands out among 12 confirmed runners.

Aidan O’Brien responds with Carry The Flag (No Nay Never), runner-up in the Prix Morny (G1), while Sale Shark(Bayside Boy), recent winner of a listed contest at York for Hugo Palmer, figures to be another major force. Traveling from France, Tokaido (Ubettabelieveit), trained by Amy Murphy, will seek redemption after coming up short at York.

Friday will also deliver one of the most distinctive and moving moments of the entire festival with the Betfred Leger Legends Classified Stakes, as several iconic figures don silks and boots once more for a worthy cause.

Joe Fanning, Tom Scudamore, Adrian Nicholls, and Adam Kirby are among the retired jockeys returning to action for this special charity race, organized to raise funds for Jack Berry House and the Injured Jockeys Fund.

Featuring established stayers, rising 2-year-olds making their mark, and fan-favorite former stars back in the saddle, Doncaster promises an action-packed Friday card as anticipation builds toward the historic 250th running of the St Leger (G1).