Doncaster Racecourse, the traditional home of the St Leger was unavailable for racing in 1940 and plans to run the race at Hurst Park and Newmarket were also abandoned. Eventually a substitute "Yorkshire St Leger" was run over one mile seven furlongs at Thirsk Racecourse in late November. Only six horses contested the race and Turkhan, ridden by Gordon Richards started at odds of 4/1 behind his more fancied stablemate Stardust with Hippius, winner of the Champion Stakes being the other major contender. He won by three quarters of a length from Stardust with Hippius taking third place. After the race, the Aga Khan, then living in Switzerland, announced that both Turkhan and Stardust would be immediately retired to stud.
