RacingBetter News
	Thursday 19th August 2021

Adayar Set for Shot at Double Classic Success in St Leger

This year’s final British Classic of the season, the St Leger, could see Derby winner Adayar attempt to become the first horse in 34 years to prevail in the two leading three-year-old races. 

Charlie Appleby’s runner scored at Epsom in the Derby, finishing ahead of stablemate Hurricane Lane who had to settle for third place in the 1m4f race. With Adam Kirby in the saddle, the pair stretched away from their rivals inside the final two furlongs.

Adayar went into the Derby as a 16/1 outsider. It was expected that Hurricane Lane would have a better chance for Appleby and Godolphin, who own both horses. However, on the day, it was Adayar who handled the occasion better and outstayed his rivals on the Downs.

Most Derby winners remain at 1m4f for the rest of their careers but given how strongly Adayar has finished his last two races at that trip, connections must be confident that their horse will step up to 1m6f with no problems.

Appleby’s colt will be bidding to replicate what Reference Point did in 1987 if he is successful at Doncaster. The Mill Reef horse was trained by the late Henry Cecil and they also won the Dante and Great Voltigeur together.

Adayar Amongst Favourites In St Leger Betting

Adayar is now 5/2 with Space Casino to land the oldest of the four British Classics. It would be his third straight Group One success as he followed up his victory in the Derby with a win in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

The son of Frankel became the first Derby winner to score in the open-age middle distance contest in July. He defeated a field that included Saudi Cup winner Mishriff, dual Classic champion Love and Group One winner Broome.

His success against the older horses not only proved his victory in the Derby was not a fluke, but also that he could already be the leading 1m4f horse in the UK and Ireland.

Arc Bid Will Also Be a Target This Season

Regardless of how well he fares at Doncaster, where a repeat clash could come against his stablemate Hurricane Lane, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in Paris looks certain to be his final assignment of the season.

Three-year-olds have a good record in the premier middle-distance contest in Europe. However, it is fillies who have fared better than colts. Golden Horn in 2015 was the last horse to win the Derby and then prevail in the Arc in the same year.

Adayar has yet to feature outside of the UK. He has some good form on soft ground though, so if the race does take place on slow ground, which often can be the case in October, he should handle the conditions.

At this stage of the season, Adayar is right at the top of the pecking order for the leading three-year-old colts. Victory at Doncaster or Longchamp would almost guarantee him the prestigious awards when the campaign is complete.