Other famous winners include Sailor’s Guide, Tulloch, Chicquita, Lady Wallace, Tranquil Star, Abercorn, Fireworks and Flying Buck.
In 1972 the venerable classic for three-year-olds switched from the autumn carnival to become the Anzac Day feature. In its new spot it was won by such good horses as Taras Bulba, Lord Dudley, So Called and Gurner’s Lane.
The distance of the race has been modified since that time (after metrics). It is now 2800 metres.
In any year after 1972, if Anzac Day fell on a Sunday and there was no race meeting at Flemington, the race was run at the following May meeting.
In 2001 the VRC St Leger was run at Moonee Valley and in 2007 at Caulfield when the Flemington track was being renovated.
It takes its name from Doncaster St Leger, which is the oldest British classic race.
The English St Leger has been run at Doncaster UK since 1776 although it was run at Newmarket 1915-18 during the First World War and in 1940-44 in the Second World War, and 1946, when it was run at Newmarket. There was no St Leger (UK) in 1939. The winner of the 2022 VRC St Leger is exempt from the ballot for entry for The Andrew Ramsden 2800 metres on 14 May. The winner of The Andrew Ramsden is exempt from the ballot for the 2022 Melbourne Cup.
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