Betfred St Leger 2024 Entries: A guide on the prospective runners

The Betfred St Leger Festival is on the horizon this week, delivering us the final Classic of the British flat racing season, the Betfred St Leger. A Group 1 race over a 1m6f distance with a total prize fund of £700k that is open to three-year-old colts and fillies. 

Continuous, ridden by Ryan Moore and trained by the legendary Aidan O'Brien, was the 2023 champion, and there will be several hopefuls hoping to immortalise themselves in glory on Saturday, September 14 when this race gets underway at 15:35 BST. Below you will find a guide of the prospective runners for the weekend's spectacle.

*You can bet on the race and check out the latest Betfred St Leger Ante-Post Odds with us over at betfred.com

Illinois @ 7/4

The current favourite with Betfred and understandably so as one of O'Brien's, Illinois is hoping to bounce back after his two last outings saw him settle for second at York and Longchamp, losing out to stablemate and another possible entry, Los Angeles, in the former. Moore has ridden Illinois four times in the past, but he was aboard Los Angeles at York, but he won't be available for either here as he looks set for Leopardstown this weekend.

Jan Brueghel @ 4/1

Yep you guessed it, another O'Brien star. Jan Brueghel is the current second favourite, and with three wins from three, you can understand why he might be a popular choice. The St Leger will of course be another step up from what he's experienced so far and he will be going up against some more established horses. Moore has ridden him for all three rides so far, so once again there will likely be a change in the saddle to consider if you are looking to back him.

Grosvenor Square @ 9/2 

This son of Galileo has found consistency an issue and it might be down to a frequent change in rider, but with Moore on top on his last appearance at Curragh, he won by a clear 20 lengths, so he has the potential to build a gap, but with the pedigree usually on offer in this race, it seems unlikely to happen here. He is another one that has tasted defeat against Los Angeles in the past (Curragh, June).

You Got To Me @ 11/2

This filly is trained by Ralph Beckett and has enjoyed consistency in the saddle with Hector Crouch. Beaten by 3/4 length on last outing at York in August, after winning by the same distance at Curragh a month before. Looks to be a strong finisher and so happy to travel in the middle of the pack to begin with.

Sunway @ 7/1

David Menusier's Sunway has gone almost a year without a victory and his performances have varied. Pace looked to be a big problem in his last race at Ascot and unless that has been fixed, Sunway is not one that would fill many with confidence in this Classic.

Los Angeles @ 7/1

From Sunway to a horse named after a city in the sunshine state. 7/1 seems like a very good price on O'Brien's Los Angeles who has won five of his six career runs, beating several of his prospective rivals for the St Leger in recent appearances. However, he appears to be all but confirmed for the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

Deira Mile @ 14/1

Beaten by a neck at Windsor in August but made sure to push the winner Sea Of Roses all the way in the final furlong. If he can stay in contention in the St Leger, he could pounce towards the end. One victory in six attempts is hardly inspiring, though.

Wild Waves @ 50/1

Andrew Balding-trained Wild Waves enjoyed back-to-back wins at Kempton and Doncaster in May and June respectively, and the experience with this track could potentially aid him here. However, it was followed by a poor showing at Haydock, finishing 11/13 and 13 1/2 lengths behind the victor Align The Stars. Improved at York on last appearance but might not be enough.

Align The Stars @ 50/1

This son of Sea The Stars will be hoping for as much success as his sire but right now he looks to be a way off where his connections will want him to be. Three wins from nine races and although three of them came in his last four outings, his poor performance at York last month has many concerned about what to expect if he does run in the St Leger.

Euphoric @ 80/1

Euphoric's connections will be hoping to be in a state of euphoria on Saturday if this 80/1 shot can deliver an outstanding run in the St Leger. This colt has won just one of his six races and that was on debut last October at Navan. He has been well beaten on her last three outings so victory in the St Leger does feel like it would take a miracle.