Illinois to Battle Al Riffa in Irish St Leger
Father versus son. They teamed up to win the Irish St Leger (G1) with Order Of St George in 2015, but Aidan and Joseph O’Brien are on opposing sides 10 years later as Al Riffa takes on Illinois in what promises to be a spicy staying affair.
Illinois is the chosen one to step into the shoes of Kyprios . The best stayer of the last decade was retired earlier in the season, and so another strapping son of Galileo (IRE) was called on to fill the void in the Gold Cup (G1) at Ascot.
He was unable to land a glove on Trawlerman there and was a beaten favorite behind stablemate Scandinavia in the Goodwood Cup (G1), but he is more battle-hardened now and is back in trip. His best Racing Post Rating came over this distance when he was given a mark of 119 for narrowly losing to Jan Brueghel in last year’s St Leger (G1).
Jan Brueghel (left) beats Illinois in the 2024 St Leger at Doncaster Racecourse
Christophe Soumillon takes the ride on Illinois for the second time, having partnered him at Longchamp last season when second to Sosie in the Grand Prix de Paris (G1), and it is worth noting that Illinois is also wearing cheekpieces for the first time. That could give him the edge required to get over the line and post a first victory since the Ormonde Stakes at Chester in May.
As for Al Riffa, he is the unknown quantity of the staying division and could be anything over this longer trip. He relished it when winning the Curragh Cup (G2) on his first try over it in July and brings a touch of class to the party.
He won the National Stakes (G1) at the Curragh as a juvenile and has excellent form figures at the venue. This is his happiest hunting ground.
Amiloc is unbeaten. His gutsy success in the King Edward VII Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot is working out seriously well and we haven’t got to the bottom of him yet. He adds another layer of intrigue.
The last 3-year-old to win the Irish St Leger was the filly Search For A Song in 2019, while Flag Of Honour also did the business for the classic generation in 2018.
The rest would appear to have plenty on their plate, although a big run from Crystal Black wouldn’t be the biggest surprise.
Aidan O’Brien is seeking his eighth St Leger and a third in four years, thanks to Kyprios, who won it in 2022 and 2024.
