Bet on the St Leger at Doncaster Racecourse
Doncaster Racecourse hosts the St Leger every September, with this Group 1 classic open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. The distance is one mile and six furlongs, with the race established as long ago as 1776.
One mile and six furlongs is the longest distance out of any of the five Classics, with the 1000 Guineas, 2000 Guineas, Derby and Oaks being run over shorter distances and this is therefore a race which suits horses with plenty of stamina.
The St Leger also forms part of the racing Triple Crown, with the 2000 Guineas and Derby forming the other parts of this prestigious accolade, with Nijinsky being the last horse to land the hat-trick in 1970.
Recent renewals of the St Leger have been dominated by Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore, with Capri landing victory in 2017 before the same team helped Kew Gardens win the race.
Doncaster Cup Forms Part of St Leger Meeting
There’s no denying that the St Leger meeting is the most prestigious that takes place at Doncaster Racecourse and there’s so much more to the three-day meeting than just the St Leger race.
The Doncaster Cup is also very established, with the Doncaster Gold Cup being founded in 1776 and is actually ten years older than the St Leger. Amazingly, the race used to take place over a distance of four miles, although this is now a two mile and one furlong encounter, with the race available to horses who are three or older.
There is a three pound allowance for any fillies or mares that enter the race, with Willie Mullins landing a rare Flat racing victory in 2018 when Thomas Hobson won the Doncaster Cup and this was the first time that a horse aged eight or older had won the race since 2005.
National Hunt Racing Also Takes Place at Doncaster
While Doncaster Racecourse is associated with Flat horse racing and the St Leger, there is also the chance to enjoy National Hunt horse racing at this northern track and there’s a meeting in January which includes several high-profile races.
You can enjoy the Great Yorkshire Chase, Doncaster Mares’ Hurdle, River Don Novices’ Hurdle and Lightning Novices’ Chase all on the same day, with the former being a three mile handicap race which is generally run on testing conditions and can serve as a useful pointer for the Cheltenham Festival.
The other three races are all Group 2 encounters and again, this might be the last time that certain horses run before they are put on course to run at the Cheltenham Festival.
Other Key Races at Doncaster Racecourse
During March, there’s another National Hunt race in the form of the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase which acts as a useful trial for Grand National hopefuls, while Doncaster racecourse then reverts to Flat horse racing and that includes the Brocklesby Stakes, Cammidge Trophy and the Lincoln Handicap.
During September, there are several precursors to the St Leger, with the Flying Scotsman Stakes, Scarborough Stakes and Sceptre Stakes among them, with thousands of racegoers flocking to Doncaster all year round to enjoy the racing.