In a season dominated by powerhouse stables and short-priced favourites, the 2025 St Leger at Doncaster offers up a refreshing subplot, a genuine underdog story in the form of Carmers, trained by Ireland’s quietly brilliant Paddy Twomey.
While the headlines have focused on Aidan O’Brien’s Scandinavia and Lambourn as market leaders, Carmers brings a compelling blend of untapped potential, proven form, and resilient spirit to the season’s final British Classic.
Carmers, a three-year-old colt by Wootton Bassett, signalled his ability early in the campaign.
Owned by Fiona Carmichael, he began his racing life in Ireland with consecutive wins in a Ballinrobe maiden and a Listed Navan contest, a schedule that highlighted both his staying power and straightforward attitude.
Winning At Ascot
The moment that truly stamped his credentials, however, came at Royal Ascot in the prestigious Queen’s Vase.
Twomey’s charge entered the Queen’s Vase as an unbeaten prospect and delivered on every expectation.
Ridden by Billy Lee, Carmers sat prominently, preserved energy, and charged home in the straight, fending off Furthur, Rahiebb, and Scandinavia for a major Group 2 win.
Not only did this preserve his perfect record at the time, but it also marked Twomey’s first Royal Ascot victory, a milestone for the trainer and a career high for the horse.
“I knew he’d stay and Billy looked comfortable turning in. When the bell rang, I thought we had a chance. Staying is his game and he’s a pretty good horse,” Twomey commented, reflecting on that memorable day.
Setback and Revival: The York Challenge
After Ascot, Carmers took his chance at York in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes, stepping down in trip to a mile and a half for the first time.
The Voltigeur, often viewed as a key St Leger trial, drew an elite field including dual Derby hero Lambourn.
But far from being overawed, Carmers finished a close second, beaten only a length by the gelded Pride Of Arras, with Stay True and Lambourn behind him.
Twomey was upbeat: “We were very happy with him at York, finishing second in the Great Voltigeur on his first time dropping in trip to a mile and a half.
“He travelled through the race well and hit the line strong, I thought it was a very good trial for the St Leger at Doncaster in a few weeks.
“On numbers it looked his best run to date, he’s a progressive horse and I think stepping back to a mile and six at Doncaster will really suit him.”
Why Carmers Can Upset the Odds
Carmers arrives at Doncaster with a tally of four career starts, three wins and one hard-fought second.
Despite his record, including a defeat of Scandinavia at Royal Ascot, he’s viewed as an outsider in the betting at around 4/1 or 5/1, largely because Twomey doesn’t operate the firepower or public profile of Ballydoyle.
Yet that outsider status has become a badge of honour for horse and stable alike.
Twomey has openly embraced the role, stating, “You could see he was a stayer. He’s a big, fine horse and he’s doing everything we’ve asked of him.”
The confidence is not misplaced, for Carmers has a style and stamina profile that looks tailor-made for the 2025 St Leger trip.
What sets Carmers apart from his more fancied rivals is the philosophy instilled by Paddy Twomey.
Eschewing hype and relentless campaigning, Twomey has carefully managed the colt’s career, targeting races that play to his strengths and avoiding overexposure.
The trainer’s adaptability, including matching Carmers with optimal ground, trip, and tactical race plans, has produced a horse that arrives at Doncaster lightly raced but fully primed.
He may not have the numbers of some of his rivals, but Twomey has a remarkable strike-rate this year at 29%, showing that his patient approach is reaping dividends.
As he prepares Carmers for Saturday, quotes from connections highlight pride in the horse’s progress and anticipation for the big occasion.
“He’s a progressive horse…stepping back to mile and six at Doncaster will really suit him,” Twomey said after York.
Such thoughtful preparation offers hope to those looking past the favourites.
Market Leaders vs. Carmers
The Betfred betting market remains bullish on Aidan O’Brien’s Scandinavia, the ante-post favourite at 2/1, with Lambourn (also O’Brien-trained) at 5/2, though those prices are likely to fluctuate as the race draws closer.
Scandinavia’s Goodwood Cup win cemented his status, and Lambourn’s dual Derby victories speak volumes. Still, both tasted defeat at the hands of Carmers and have yet to show ironclad dominance at this marathon trip.
Other contenders include Stay True and Furthur, each bringing solid trial form but seen as a shade below the top trio’s promise.
With O’Brien fielding multiple runners and the likes of Roger Varian’s Rahiebb adding depth, Carmers faces no easy task.
Yet his own record, especially the Queen’s Vase and Voltigeur seconds, suggests he’s not outclassed by favourites and might well thrive under the Doncaster conditions.
What keeps the Carmers camp optimistic is both the horse’s physical profile (big, rangy, most effective at a staying trip) and mental outlook.
Last preparations have been quietly confident, with Carmers reported to be training well since York, and connections keen to test him against the best at Doncaster.
The colt’s laid-back style and proven ability to take a position, settle, and unleash a late surge make him a live threat as the field rounds for home.
Many view the 2025 St Leger as ideally suited to horses ready to grind and battle, not just quicken, and Carmers fits this description perfectly.
BETFRED
