Charlie Johnston Interview: Winning Betfred St Leger would be “very special”

Ahead of the Betfred St Leger, Matt Hulmes spoke to Charlie Johnston about the upcoming festival and the horse he has competing.

*since publishing, Lazy Griff has suffered a setback and will not compete in the race.

A confident Charlie Johnston believes his Betfred St Leger contender Lazy Griff is “tailor-made” for the Classic contest at Doncaster next Saturday.

The 34-year-old admits he’s had the race in mind for the three-year-old son of Protectionist ever since his second in the Chester Vase back in May.

“I remember, quite vividly, the winners’ enclosure at Chester after the Vase saying that if there’s one race, he’s tailor-made for, it’s the Betfred St Leger,” he said.

“It’s not even been at the back of our minds – it’s been at the forefront.”

It’s fair to say Charlie, who took over the training license from his father Mark in 2023, isn’t short of confidence ahead of the big day.

He went on: “If we can get him there in the form he was in in June, then he’ll go very close. I don’t think anything’s happened in the interim to change that opinion.”

Since Chester, Lazy Griff has placed in both Derbies – the Betfred Derby at Epsom and the Irish Derby at the Curragh – behind the reopposing Lambourn, who Johnston admits he is getting “sick of the sight of”.

"He’s beaten us three times, so there’s no getting away from the fact that he’s been better than us up until now but through July. I was quite happy with Lambourn being in the position of favourite for the Leger because it showed us what we need to aim for, because I could see enough reasons why we could reverse the form.

"Obviously since then, a new leader from Ballydoyle has emerged and that’s more of an unknown. We don’t have a line on Scandinavia and know where we stand with him.

"So yes, sick of the sight of Lambourn but at the same time, if he was the only one of theirs that turned up, we’d be quite happy.”

Christophe Soumillon was set to ride Lazy Griff in the Leger, but he's now expected to step in for Aidan O'Brien, replacing Ryan Moore.

Moore is set for a lengthy time on the sidelines having picked up a leg fracture, and will likely be out for the rest of the flat season which would also see him out of some top meetings, like Champions Day at Ascot, the Arc at Paris Longchamp and of course the St Leger.

Soumillon, the 10-time champion in France, is a big replacement, who could ride one of a few O'Brien runners still pencilled in for the St Leger - Scandinavia, Lambourn, Stay True and Minnie Hauk.

"From what I hear, he’s going to be in the other corner in Ireland rather than Doncaster, but that may change between now and then. It was obviously disappointing, but I can understand it from his side because the opportunities he was going to get in that role over the next two or three months, whilst Ryan’s out, was something that he couldn’t turn down.

"Yes, it would have been great to have him but at the same time, I don’t believe it’s a factor that will determine whether he wins or loses the Leger. He’s been ridden by five different jockeys already in his career and touch wood, he’s a very straightforward horse to ride and not one that needs things overcomplicating."

Johnston later revealed that he hasn't confirmed who will ride Lazy Griff on the big day, but is confident there'll be an "able deputy", which would make victory at Doncaster all the more sweeter.

"We’ve had 105 winners so far this year, but it’s those big races that really get you noticed as a stable and as a trainer. To win a classic would be massive for us.

"The Derby is obviously very special and it sort of sits on a pedestal, but to win the Northern classic would be very special. Dad (Mark Johnston) won an English and Irish Guineas, but we’re still more synonymous with staying types.

"To not win the Leger was something that Dad may have felt he left behind, so to write that would be great."

Betfred St Leger 50% Discount - Get 50% off tickets for the gate price for Grandstand at Doncaster from Thursday 11th September until Sunday 14th September 2025.

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