Frankie Dettori picks out St Leger winner and aims for spare Aidan O’Brien Breeders’ Cup ride

Frankie Dettori knows what it takes to win the St Leger at Doncaster having won the Classic six times and gives his top insight into the race.

The jockey has had his say on who will win this weekend along and even set his sights on the nearing Breeders’ Cup with Ryan Moore still out injured for Coolmore.

The 54-year-old has won the St Leger Classic on board Classic Cliche (1995), Shantou (1996), Scorpion (2005), Sixties Icon (2006), Conduit (2008) and Logician (2019) for five different trainers.

Including for Aidan O’Brien with Scorpion 20 years ago, who has two at the top of the market for this weekend’s renewal.

This year however, he will be without his usual retained rider who is set to be replaced by jockey Christophe Soumillon making this year’s renewal an interesting clash.

Dettori explained to Stake that Doncaster provides the ideal conditions for the near 2m course, with its ‘fair track’ that really tests the stamina.

‘You won’t find many better than a dual Derby winner‘

Dettori explained his pick for the Classic Group 1 on Saturday: “If Lambourn turns up, you won’t find many better than a dual Derby winner… but I don’t think he’s going to win this.

“I really like Scandinavia. We know he stays, and he hasn’t been campaigned the hardest way through Derbies and the like, so he comes into the race with a strong profile. He would be my pick at the moment.”

O’Brien has won this race eight times including twice in a row in the last two renewals of the race with Continuous and Jan Brueghel who both won in convincing style.

And the Irish trainer has a few races to think about for the latter stages of the flat season.

With ample opportunities for more valuable winners with Champions weekend at Ascot in October, the Arc in France and slightly further ahead – the valuable Breeders’ Cup meeting at Del Mar.

‘I texted saying don’t forget me at Del Mar’

Dettori revealed he put his name into contention for a potential ride on one of Aidan O’Brien’s horses, especially as Moore could still be out injured come the end of October.

Dettori said: “I’ll be honest, cheekily I texted him saying don’t forget me at Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup. He said thank you, he didn’t say yes!

“We still have eight weeks left so anything can happen. Maybe Ryan [Moore] will be back by then, but I thought I would throw my name into the hat!”

The Breeders’ Cup is one of the most valuable days in horse racing with each race offering winners millions of dollars.

Last year $34 million was paid out in total over the weekend featuring 14 races.

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