The Jamaica St Leger is one of the three Classic races in Jamaica. The others are the 1000 and 2000 Guineas, and the Jamaica Derby.
The St Leger is designated for three-year-old horses, with colts and geldings carrying 126 lbs, and fillies allowed a sex allowance of 5 lbs. The last filly to win the St Leger was the Jason DaCosta trained, Reyan Lewis ridden Thalita in 2023.
Originally the St Leger was competed for over 14 furlongs, that was changed in 1991 when the distance was reduced to ten furlongs.
The Triple Crown was established in 1924, with the St Leger originally named the Lonsdale Cup.
The last horse to win the St Leger going 14 furlongs was Khadullah, trained by Kenneth Mattis and ridden by Hubert Bartley.
The first horse to win the St Leger at 10 furlongs was Poorlittlerichgirl trained by Godwin Bucknor and ridden by Hubert Bartley.
Bartley is one of two jockeys in the 100-year-old history of the St Leger to win the event four years in succession, 1983 on Our Secret, 1984 on My Apology, 1985 on D’s A Legend, and in 1986 on Persian Invader. Bartley had further St Leger success in 1990 on Khadullah, and 1991 on Poorlittlerichgirl.
The other jockey to accomplish this St Leger feat is Kenneth Mattis, 1966 on Saratoga, 1967 on L’Max, 1968 on Oberon, 1969 on Buckchaser.
The only female trainer to win the St Leger is Eileen Cliggott in 1962 with Prelude, 1965 with Rumpelstiltskin, and 1970 with Charlotte Russe.
The only two professionals have won the St Leger as a trainer and a jockey, Kenneth Mattis and Donald Andrade.
Mattis as a jockey won the St Leger in 1964 on Captain Goodenough for trainer Allan Williams, 1966 on Saratoga for trainer Allan Williams, 1967 for L’Max for trainer Gerry Skelton, 1968 on Oberon again for Williams, and 1969 on Buckchaser for Williams.
As a trainer Mattis won the St Leger in 1979 with Atta Boy ridden by Derrick Ramgeet, 1981 with Royal Dad (Winston Griffiths), 1985 with D’s A Legend ridden by Hubert Bartley, 1986 with Persian Invader ridden by Hurbert Bartley, 1990 with Khadullah ridden by Hubert Bartley, and in 1998 with My Lady Silk ridden by Winston Griffiths.
Andrade as a jockey won in 1970 on Charlotte Russe, and as a trainer in 1978 with Impetuous.
In the 100-year-old history of the St Leger there has been one walkover. That happened in 1971 with Reprieve trained by Aston Cammock and ridden by Richard DePass
