2026 St Leger Result and Replay - Saffie Osborne makes history as Highwayman heads 1-2 for Joseph O'Brien
The 250th St Leger saw 11 leading colts compete, with pre-race favorite Christmas Day unable to deliver. In a historic outcome, Saffie Osborne piloted Highwayman to victory, becoming the first female jockey to win this prestigious Classic. Trainer Joseph O'Brien's skill was on display with Highwayman and Enceladus securing a 1-2 finish, highlighting a strong family rivalry with Aidan O'Brien. Amelia Earhart ran impressively for third. The race underlined progress for women in racing and showcased O'Brien's remarkable training acumen.
- Full result of the 2026 St Leger
- Highwayman won the Classic feature at Doncaster on Saturday
- Watch a replay of the St Leger finish here on our website
11 talented colts took part in the 250th St Leger today, as Aidan O'Brien attempted to win this Classic for a fifth season in a row.
O'Brien's big gun was Christmas Day, who had been beaten twice since that shock victory in the Epsom Derby. Gordon Stakes winner Enceladus represented Aidan's son Joseph O'Brien, and the two had been flip-flopping at the head of the betting for much of the build-up. However, in the minutes before the off, a wave of support arrived for Christmas Day, and Ronan Whelan's mount entered the stalls as the short-priced favourite.
Aidan O'Brien was also represented by Group One-winning juvenile Pierre Bonnard. Joseph O'Brien's second string was Listed winner Highwayman, who was giving Saffie Osborne the first Classic ride of her career. Another Classic debutant was Qatari rider Faleh Bughenaim, who partnered Andrew Balding's Hatteen. Balding also ran Bahrain Trophy runner-up Galiyan, ridden by Danny Tudhope.
Alderman and Rebel Rocker were making their second Classic appearances of the season, having finished fifth and sixth respectively in the Epsom Derby. Clifford Lee and Karl Burke teamed up with Golden Story, while Tom Marquand rode another Ballydoyle runner, Amelia Earhart. Aidan O'Brien's pacemaker Action was the 11th and final runner in Saturday's feature.
2026 St Leger Result
| Position | Name | SP |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Highwayman | 11/1 |
| 2nd | Enceladus | 5/2 |
| 3rd | Amelia Earhart | 25/1 |
| 4th | Alderman | 50/1 |
Action was a step slow coming out of the gates and couldn't quite get to the front. Ronan Whelan broke best aboard Christmas Day, and the favourite strode into an early lead. Sean Levey was forced to angle out wide to make up the ground, and Action took over at the front after two furlongs.
Christmas Day travelled comfortably in second, with Pierre Bonnard and Rebel Rocker sitting in the second rank. Hatteen and Highwayman were prominent early on, with Galiyan travelling alongside Enceladus.
Amelia Earhart was held up in midfield, with Golden Story and Alderman sitting at the rear of the field.
Action soon began to extend into a clear lead. Christmas Day also wanted to go a little faster, and he'd soon opened up a two-length gap over the rest of the field. None of the other jockeys seemed in a hurry to get involved, with Billy Loughnane and Enceladus taking a wide trip throughout.
Coming out of the final bend, Action soon gave way and was swallowed up by the chasing pack. Ronan Whelan asked Christmas Day to extend. Yet, the well-backed favourite soon came under pressure, and attention turned to the closers emerging from the pack.
Hatteen tanked into contention under Faleh Bughenaim and took over with three furlongs to travel. Suddenly, Saffie Osborne loomed into contention aboard Highwayman, and a sharp change of gear saw Hatteen left behind.
Enceladus was hot on his stablemate's tail, and Billy Loughnane attempted to bridge the gap. Highwayman, however, found plenty for pressure, moving two lengths clear of his stablemate, and Saffie Osborne punched the air as she became the first female rider to win a Classic race in the UK.
Billy Loughnane and Enceladus kept on gamely to finish second, completing a 1-2 for trainer Joseph O'Brien. Amelia Earhart was the first Aidan O'Brien runner to cross the line, finishing third ahead of Alderman, who also flew home from the rear of the field.
2026 St Leger Replay
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