All Eyes On The Irish St Leger 2025 Field – Who Will Win The Curragh’s Autumn Test?
The Irish St Leger, held over 1 mile and 6 furlongs at the Curragh, is one of Ireland’s premier staying contests.
This Group 1, open to three-year-olds and older horses, regularly attracts proven internationals, seasoned campaigners, and progressive younger types.
The 2025 edition, scheduled for Sunday, 14 September, features nine runners with an intriguing mix of older stayers, high-profile joint-favourites, and deep-field outsiders.
With a €500,000 purse and €285,000 to the winner, the race remains one of the most coveted mile-and-three-quarter targets of the European autumn.
Head-to-Head: Al Riffa vs Illinois
At the head of the betting, Al Riffa and Illinois are locked as joint-favourites at 2/1, each bringing strong recent performances and powerful connections.
Al Riffa, trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Dylan McMonagle, is a five-year-old whose campaign signals a maturing stayer at his peak.
A French-bred son of Wootton Bassett, Al Riffa burst onto the scene as a juvenile National Stakes winner, but his best form has come over extended trips.
Recent highlights include a commanding five-length victory in the Group 2 Curragh Cup and placings in the Hardwicke Stakes and Pattern races abroad.
His Curragh record is exemplary, and his turn of foot in the final two furlongs gives him tactical flexibility.
O’Brien’s experience and plans for international staying races suggest Al Riffa is primed for a big run this autumn.
Illinois is Aidan O’Brien’s leading hope, partnered by Christophe Soumillon. This four-year-old has displayed consistent Group form across Britain, Ireland, and France.
His near-misses in the Queen’s Vase, Grand Prix de Paris, and Doncaster St Leger evidence stamina and relentless competitiveness.
A recent win in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester, plus a gutsy second in the Ascot Gold Cup, highlight his class at distances from 1m6f up to 2½ miles.
Soumillon’s booking signals a tactical race plan, and Coolmore’s history of delivering late-season wins sets high expectations.
Amiloc: Three-Year-Old Challenger
At 11/4, Amiloc is the standout improver from the younger generation for Ralph Beckett and rider Rossa Ryan.
Stepping up against older opposition for the first time at this level, Amiloc brings steadily improving form, including an emphatic win over 1m6f and competitive showings against Pattern-class rivals.
His rapid progress and natural stamina position him as the dark horse capable of upsetting established older stayers if the race turns tactical or the pace is searching.
Beckett’s growing reputation for identifying progressive stayers late in the season means the market respects Amiloc’s chances, especially with the weight allowance for three-year-olds.
The Next Tier: Experienced Stayers and Each-Way Options
Al Qareem, winner of last year’s Yorkshire Cup, trades at 9/1. Now a six-year-old, he brings durability and proven staying credentials to the Curragh.
Trainer Karl Burke and jockey Clifford Lee know how to deliver results in long-distance contests, with Al Qareem’s style, racing close to the pace before grinding out a finish, potentially well-suited if the ground is yielding or soft.
He’s reliable over the trip and thrives in true tests where stamina is prioritised, making him a worthy each-way alternative if the hotpots fail to deliver.
Crystal Black (11/1) is another experienced stayer, trained by Gerard Keane and partnered by Colin Keane.
Seven years old and a mainstay in longer Irish handicaps, Crystal Black runs best when held up and produced late.
He has placed in competitive fields at the Curragh before and brings enough class to finish strongly if trouble emerges up front.
For punters looking for a genuine outsider with course form, Crystal Black fits the bill.
Leinster (20/1) returns for Joseph O’Brien with Billy Lee aboard. His best achievements are over similar staying distances, where he has shown reliable stamina and versatility.
Less likely on official ratings, Leinster remains a live each-way hope should race conditions suit closers or if the leading horses don’t handle autumn ground.
Outsiders: Dallas Star, Queenstown, Waldadler
Dallas Star (40/1) trains with Adrian Murray and is ridden by David Egan. Though yet to score at Group 1 level this season, he sometimes stays on when the pace collapses.
Queenstown (33/1), from Aidan O’Brien’s stable and with Ronan Whelan in the saddle, could improve for a step up in trip and autumn campaign preparation.
Waldadler (50/1), trained by Pavel Vovcenko and partnered by David Liska, is the field’s biggest outsider, with most of his form coming in handicaps and Listed races.
For all three, success will hinge on race dynamics and the possibility of rain-softened ground favouring deep closers.
Tactics and Trends
This year’s Irish St Leger features a deep field with versatile form lines. Traditionally, the Curragh’s long, straight, and reliable ground put stamina and tactical maturity at the forefront.
Jockey bookings and past form are key, with the last decade’s winners mostly found among the market leaders with proven runs over the course and distance.
Tactically, the joint-favourites offer contrasting styles: Illinois often races handily, pressing the pace early and keeping rivals honest; Al Riffa, meanwhile, prefers to settle and unleash a turn of foot late.
Amiloc and the other younger contenders may take closer order, using their lighter weight to stretch the field or exploit any slow early pace.
In staying races of this nature, the ability to handle tempo, position at halfway, and resilience in the final three furlongs inevitably sort the genuine contenders from the rest.
Odd Market and Predictions
The market remains focused on Al Riffa and Illinois, each with current odds of 2/1, reflecting widespread confidence in their ability to handle championship pressure.
Amiloc, now 11/4, is well-supported as the best of the up-and-comers, carrying hopes for a bold run against his older rivals.
Value alternatives include Al Qareem and Crystal Black, whose experience and consistent finishing could see them reach the frame.
Outsiders like Leinster, Dallas Star, Queenstown, and Waldadler will need race conditions and luck to play their way.
Given recent form, tactical flexibility, and proven ability over course and distance, Al Riffa holds a slight edge with his Curragh record.
Illinois has often just missed out in key championship races, but has the credentials to break through if he can produce a more assertive finish.
Amiloc remains a genuine threat to all, especially if the favourites cannot impose control or if rain changes ground conditions.
Conclusion
The Irish St Leger 2025 promises another classic test for stayers, with joint-favourites dictating the race story but strong challenges from both seasoned and emerging competitors.
Stamina, finishing speed, and race-day tactics will decide the winner as punters and connections look ahead to potential international contests in autumn.
Whether a headline name prevails or a seasoned campaigner or improving youngster steps up, the Curragh’s premier staying prize remains a major highlight of the flat calendar.
BETFRED
