History of the St Leger

IT WAS a successful Irish soldier, Lieutenant Colonel Anthony St Leger, who founded the first St Leger Stakes in 1776.

The race, which began as a sweepstake for three-year-old horses, first took place on September 24 when it was run over two miles of Cantley Common, with a stake of 25 guineas for each horse entered.

Allabaculia was the first winner.

The first race on the Town Moor was held in 1779, and it has taken place there ever since. It was popular with all classes, from Yorkshire miners to Royalty - King Edward VII attended from 1903 through to 1909.

The race is most synonymous with Nijinsky, ridden by Lester Piggott, who run the Leger in 1970 along with the Derby and the 2000 Guineas.

But it has also produced its crop of racing surprises. In 1822, Theodore was so lame at the beginning of the race that bookies gave it odds of 1,000-5. But the horse led from the front and strode to a four length victory.

The race has taken place every year, except 1939, when it was cancelled because of the outbreak of the Second World War.

As hostilities ended, the race was also held - for one year only - at Knavesmire on September 5, 1945, when more than 200,000 spectators celebrated a new peaceful era by cheering Chamossaire to a two-length victory over the King's horse Rising Light.

The last Northern winner was Bollin Eric, trained by Malton's Tim Easterby and ridden by Sheriff Hutton jockey Kevin Darley in 2002.