Scandinavia, O’Brien’s Leading Hope for the St Leger at Doncaster

Aidan O’Brien will be represented by three Coolmore colts in Saturday’s G1

Scandinavia, who most recently defeated Illinois at Goodwood / GOODWOOD

DONCASTER, Inglaterra (Specil for Turf Diario).- The St Leger Stakes (G1, 2937m, turf), which on Saturday at Doncaster will once again close the English Triple Crown as it has since 1776, promises a compelling edition thanks to the presence of three Aidan O’Brien trainees, as the master of Ballydoyle bids for a record ninth win in the world’s oldest Classic.

Leading the charge is Scandinavia (Justify), who looks tailor-made for this stamina test. Victorious in the Goodwood Cup (G1) against older horses, he showed not only that he thrives at extended distances, but that such demands may bring out the very best in him. With his relentless stride, tactical versatility, and the maturity gained through the second half of the season, he looms as the logical favorite to secure another trophy for Coolmore. He will be partnered by Tom Marquand, whose composure and tactical nous make him well suited to the St Leger’s exacting test.

O’Brien, however, never comes armed with just one weapon. Alongside Scandinavia is none other than Lambourn(Australia), hero of both the Epsom Derby (G1) and Irish Derby (G1). His fifth-place effort in the Great Voltigeur Stakes (G2) at York raised some questions, but his trainer is confident that the increased distance at Doncaster will provide the perfect stage for redemption. The memory of his Classic triumph at Epsom remains vivid, and his class is beyond doubt.

Completing the Ballydoyle trio is Stay True (Galileo), less accomplished than his stablemates but with an upward trajectory that suggests untapped potential. His steady progress could make him a danger should the principals falter over the demanding trip.

The opposition is not without quality. Carmers (Wootton Bassett), Furthur (Waldgeist), and others from the Classic crop will look to upset the script, but on paper, the 2025 St Leger seems poised to carry the unmistakable stamp of Ballydoyle.