Roger Varian Reflects on Kingston Hill’s St Leger Triumph as Career Milestone

A decade ago, Roger Varian etched his name in the annals of British racing with his first Classic victory as Kingston Hill stormed to St Leger glory at Doncaster. The win marked a significant milestone in Varian's burgeoning training career, firmly establishing him among the sport’s elite.

While Varian had already tasted Group One success after taking over from legendary trainer Michael Jarvis in 2011, Kingston Hill’s triumph in September 2014 secured his place in the prestigious club of Classic-winning trainers. The son of Mastercraftsman, who had finished a valiant second in the Derby earlier that year, entered Doncaster as the favorite for the world’s oldest Classic—despite having skipped the Great Voltigeur at York due to unsuitable ground.

Looking back on that career-defining moment, Varian recalls the tension in the air as Kingston Hill, a class horse, lined up for the race after a long layoff. "He was second in the Derby behind Australia and had run well in the Eclipse, but the Leger was his first start since then," Varian said. "As the favorite, you think he should win, but that only makes you more nervous."

The victory was not only a personal triumph but also a key moment for Kingston Hill’s owner, Paul Smith, who had been a staunch supporter of Varian’s fledgling career. Smith had endured the heartbreak of seeing his colt finish runner-up to his father Derrick Smith’s horse, Australia, in the Derby. Winning the St Leger was a sweet redemption.

"It was great to win for Paul, who had supported me early on after taking over from Michael Jarvis. We were over the Derby loss by then, and Doncaster was a special day," Varian reflected.

Kingston Hill’s versatile and high-class 2014 season, which saw him compete at distances from a mile to a mile and three-quarters, culminated in the St Leger victory. But for Varian, there remains a lingering question of what might have been had the colt encountered softer ground in his biggest races that year.

“He loved cut in the ground, and the slowest ground he ever ran on was good,” said Varian. “In another year, with softer conditions, who knows? He could have won another big race.”

Despite the “ifs and buts,” Kingston Hill went on to finish fourth behind the great Treve in the Arc de Triomphe after his St Leger win, further underlining his class.

Varian’s connection with the St Leger didn’t end with Kingston Hill. In 2022, he returned to Town Moor with Eldar Eldarov, another rising star in his stable, to secure his second St Leger win. Eldar Eldarov, unlike Kingston Hill, was a slow-burning talent who only hinted at his potential as a juvenile. However, after a successful run at Royal Ascot and a fourth-place finish in the Grand Prix de Paris, Varian trained him specifically for the Leger—and it paid off.

"Eldar Eldarov had a different profile from Kingston Hill," Varian explained. "But when he won that Nottingham maiden, I thought he could develop into a Leger horse. It was another special moment for us at Doncaster."

Both Kingston Hill and Eldar Eldarov’s triumphs at Doncaster represent more than just victories—they symbolize key chapters in Roger Varian’s rise to the top of the training ranks. Now one of Newmarket’s biggest names, Varian looks back on those early Classic successes as defining moments that shaped his career.

"Winning a Classic makes you a Classic-winning trainer for life, and no one can take that away from you. Those moments will always stay with me."