The Comer Group International Irish St.LegeR
The Curragh
Ascending
Ascending, a 2019‑foaled gelding by Awtaad–Midnight Martini trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by William J Lee, boasts a perfect 2025 season. He won the Cork Derby (Premier Handicap, 1m 4f) on May 6 by a neck, then scorched to victory in the Ascot Stakes (Heritage Handicap, 2m 4f) on June 17, leading an Irish 1‑2‑3‑4 sweep at Royal Ascot. Now eyeing the Irish St. Leger, he's firmly on the radar.
Illinois
Illinois, a 4-year-old Galileo colt trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, has been in peak form this spring. He opened with a gritty win in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester on May 8, beating Al Qareem and Absurde under a penalty. On June 19, he was narrowly beaten by Trawlerman in the Ascot Gold Cup (G1, 2m 4f), earning a sterling runner-up spot. Rated mid‑120s, he's now eyeing major targets like the Coronation Cup and Irish Champions Festival.
Lambourn
Lambourn (Australia–Gossamer Wings), a April 2022‑foaled bay colt, is trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Wayne Lordan/Ryan Moore. He finished runner‑up in the Ballysax Stakes (G3, March 30) and then won the Chester Vase (G3, May 7). He stormed to victory in the Epsom Derby (G1, June 7) by 3¾ lengths, then completed a prestigious Derby double by claiming the Irish Derby (G1, June 29) under Moore. He’s now a leading Classic and middle‑distance contender.
Trawlerman
Trawlerman, a 7‑year‑old gelding by Golden Horn trained by John & Thady Gosden and ridden by William Buick, has hit peak form in 2025. After placing 5th in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan (Apr 5), he dominated the Henry II Stakes (G3, May 29, 2m), then led all the way to a record‑breaking 7‑length victory in the Royal Ascot Gold Cup (G1, June 19, 2m 4f). Rated among Europe’s elite stayers, he’s set for a top‑class autumn campaign.
Carmers
Carmers, a February 25, 2022 bay colt by Wootton Bassett trained by Paddy Twomey and ridden by Billy Lee, is unbeaten in three 2025 starts. He won a Ballinrobe maiden (May 9), a Navan Listed race (May 17), then stormed to Royal Ascot victory in the Group 2 Queen’s Vase (June 18), lowering the course record over 1m 6f. An exciting staying prospect, he’s entered for the St Leger and Irish St Leger.
Jan Brueghel
Jan Brueghel, a Galileo colt trained by Aidan O’Brien, is rising fast in the older middle-distance ranks. He finished second in the Alleged Stakes (G3, Curragh, Apr 12) and delivered a powerful victory in the Coronation Cup (G1, Epsom, Jun 6) under Ryan Moore. With strong form over 1m4f and entries in the King George and Irish Champion Stakes, he's firmly in the elite mix for top summer and autumn targets.
Trustyourinstinct
Trustyourinstinct, a May 8, 2020‑foaled Churchill gelding trained by Joseph O’Brien and owned by John P. McManus, has enjoyed a strong 2025 flat campaign. He placed third in the Group 2 Al Basti Equiworld Stakes (Curragh, May 5), then returned to form with a four‑length win in a Curragh Listed race (May 24) . He topped the pattern with a dominant win in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai International Stakes (G3, Curragh, June 28). Rated around 109, he’s entered in the Irish St Leger and could step back up to G1 company.
Amiloc
Amiloc, a gelding by Postponed trained by Ralph Beckett and ridden by Rossa Ryan/Hector Crouch, remains unbeaten in three 2025 starts. He claimed a Conditions Stakes at Goodwood on May 2 by 3¼ lengths, then dominated the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood on May 24. He capped his rise with victory in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot on June 20 . Now entered in major midsummer targets like the King George VI and Irish St Leger.
