The racing world was struck with disappointment on Sunday when Middleham Park Racing announced that their star colt, Lazy Griff, would not compete in the highly anticipated Betfred St Leger at Doncaster. The news came as a crushing blow to the syndicate, who had harbored hopes of securing their first British Classic victory with the promising three-year-old. Lazy Griff, trained by Charlie Johnston, had been a standout performer throughout the season, earning a reputation as one of the frontrunners for the world’s oldest Classic. With odds as short as 4-1, making him the second favorite behind Aidan O’Brien’s Scandinavia, his sudden withdrawal due to a setback left connections and fans alike reeling.

Lazy Griff’s journey to the St Leger had been marked by a series of impressive performances. The colt, a son of Protectionist, first caught the attention of racing enthusiasts when he finished a commendable second in the Chester Vase earlier this year, trailing only Aidan O’Brien’s Lambourn. Despite being a 50-1 longshot, he defied expectations in the Derby at Epsom, again finishing second to Lambourn in a performance that had Middleham Park’s director of operations, Mike Prince, dreaming of glory. Jockey Christophe Soumillon, who rode Lazy Griff at Epsom, described the colt’s effort as exceptional, noting how he cruised down the hill and briefly appeared capable of challenging for the lead. A third-place finish in the Irish Derby further solidified Lazy Griff’s credentials, with his stamina and pedigree—sired by a Melbourne Cup winner—making him a perfect fit for the St Leger’s demanding mile-and-six-furlong distance.

The decision to target the St Leger had been strategic. Middleham Park Racing opted to bypass other high-profile races, such as the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York, to keep Lazy Griff fresh for Doncaster. Trainer Charlie Johnston had long believed the colt’s strengths lay in longer distances, particularly on softer ground, which suited his running style. As recently as late August, Johnston expressed optimism about Lazy Griff’s chances, noting that the colt’s previous encounters with Lambourn could be reversed given the right conditions. The defeat of Lambourn in the Great Voltigeur Stakes further boosted Lazy Griff’s prospects, elevating him to second favorite with bookmakers. Scandinavia, another O’Brien-trained contender and the Goodwood Cup winner, emerged as the 5-4 favorite, but Lazy Griff was widely regarded as a serious threat.

However, the dream unraveled just days before the race. On Saturday, Lazy Griff was scheduled to complete his final piece of work before the St Leger, but he was unable to participate due to a setback. Mike Prince confirmed the devastating news, stating that the colt would miss the remainder of the season but was expected to return in 2026. “It’s gutting to get so close to the Leger, where on paper he looked to have a really great chance,” Prince said. The syndicate, which had been eagerly preparing for the trip to Doncaster, was left to process the disappointment of seeing their Classic aspirations vanish. Prince acknowledged the emotional toll on the team, emphasizing that such setbacks are part of the unpredictable nature of horse racing. “These things happen, and they are sent to test us,” he added.

The absence of Lazy Griff has shifted the dynamics of the St Leger, strengthening the position of Aidan O’Brien’s runners. Scandinavia now heads the betting at 5-4, with Lambourn at 7-2 and Paddy Twomey’s Carmers at 5-1. O’Brien, who has won the St Leger eight times, including the last two editions with Continuous and Jan Brueghel, appears poised to dominate once again. For Middleham Park Racing, the focus now turns to the future. Plans are already in place to campaign Lazy Griff in long-distance and Cup races next season, with potential entries in events like the Long Distance Cup at Ascot or the Prix Royal-Oak at Saint-Cloud. While the setback is a bitter pill to swallow, Prince remains optimistic about the colt’s potential, confident that Lazy Griff’s best days are still ahead. For now, though, the racing community mourns the absence of a colt who promised to light up Doncaster, leaving Middleham Park Racing to regroup and dream anew for 2026.