Joseph O’Brien goes for another major strike in the Doncaster St Leger

Joseph O’Brien arrives at Doncaster with Enceladus and Highwayman to challenge the likes of Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard, the primary contenders sent out by his father, Aidan, after taking the Oaks with Thundering On, securing five victories at Royal Ascot, and topping the trainer standings at Goodwood

DONCASTER, England (Special for Turf Diario).— Joseph O’Brien decided that 2026 would be a season to place special emphasis on the major British festivals, and the results have far exceeded expectations. Having established himself as one of the year’s primary figures, he will now look to extend his extraordinary campaign in the Betfred St Leger (G1), where he is preparing a two-pronged attack with Enceladus (Sea the Stars) and Highwayman (Persian King).

The Owning Hill conditioner has been leaving his mark at virtually every major meeting on the calendar. He captured the Epsom Oaks (G1) with Thundering On (Night of Thunder), notched five victories during Royal Ascot, and finished as the leading trainer at the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

Now comes Doncaster, along with the final opportunity of the year to lay claim to one of the British Classic events.

O’Brien is well acquainted with what it takes to win the St Leger. He first achieved the feat as a jockey, guiding Leading Light (Montjeu) in 2013, and later as a trainer, when Galileo Chrome (Australia) proved victorious in the 2020 edition.

This time, his principal hope appears to be Enceladus, a runner who has already brought him victories at both Royal Ascot and Goodwood, and who comes off the finest performance of his career in the Gordon Stakes (L).

“Enceladus and Highwayman could both run. Enceladus has been progressing well and comes into this off his best performance yet,” O’Brien explained.

“It looks like it will be a very strong renewal, but Enceladus is a logical candidate. I think the extra two furlongs will suit him well; I don’t see that being an issue. He is a good horse.”

Highwayman will arrive at Town Moor via a different trajectory, though he too is in full development. He enters off a victory in the Vinnie Roe Stakes (L), and his trainer believes the St Leger will help determine how far he can go through the final stretch of the season.

“It’s a similar story with Highwayman. He has progressed rapidly in a short amount of time, and this race will likely tell us where to head with him toward the end of the year. He is a nice colt who is developing quickly.”

In early betting markets, Enceladus rates as one of the chief threats to the powerhouse squad from Aidan O’Brien, headlined by Epsom Derby winner Christmas Day (Camelot) and Pierre Bonnard (Camelot).

It promises to be another chapter in a familiar storyline this season: Joseph attempting to thwart his father in some of Europe's premier contests.

And the numbers tell the story.

Joseph is on track for the winningmost season of his training career, and as the European autumn approaches, he sits less than 1 million euros behind Aidan O’Brien in the Irish prize-money standings.

However, he insists that overtaking Ballydoyle is not an obsession.

“We focus on our own horses and try to find the best possible race for each one. If you start getting obsessed with numbers, earnings, and all that, there are so many variables that you’d end up driving yourself crazy,” he noted.

The strategy for 2026 did have a clear target: increasing Owning Hill’s presence at Britain’s major festivals.

“This year we made a point to compete at the UK festivals alongside our Irish campaign, and it has worked out well. We had great results at Ascot, Goodwood, and York. That is something you can build on.”

The season recently brought a moment of concern following a heavy fall at Bellewstown suffered by Dylan Browne McMonagle, the champion Irish jockey and a pivotal member of the O’Brien team.

The 23-year-old rider required hospitalization, though his recovery is progressing favorably, and he could return sooner than initially anticipated.

“Dylan is making good progress, and his recovery seems to be moving along a bit faster than expected. I’m not sure yet when he’ll be back, but everything is heading in the right direction,” O’Brien commented.

While awaiting his main rider’s return, the trainer presses on with a campaign that will not easily be forgotten.

“It has been a very rewarding year. Every season you try to build on what you did before, and it doesn’t always happen. This has been a very strong year for us, and we will try to top it next year.”

Before that, there remains time to try to add another major chapter.

In the 250th edition of the St Leger, Joseph O’Brien will hold two hands with Enceladus and Highwayman.

And standing in his way once again will be Aidan.

As has happened so many times throughout a 2026 season in which the son has emerged as one of the greatest threats to the father.