Thursday11–Sunday14September2025
WELCOME TO DONCASTER RACECOURSE
OnbehalfoftheteamhereatDoncasterRacecourse welookforwardtowelcomingyoutothisyear’s BetfredStLegerFestival.
ThisBetfredStLegerFestivalGuideisdesignedtoprovide youwithallthekeyinformationtomakelifeeasierfor Owners,Trainers,StableStaffandhorsestoensureyour stayisassmoothaspossible.
WeareprivilegedtowelcomeyoutotheOldestClassicin theWorldandtheonlyClassicrunintheNorthofEngland, somethingwhichtheCityofDoncasterisextremelyproud of,especiallywithsuchahistoricrollcallincludingsomeof racing’sgreats.
Wearealwaysworkinghardtoimproveandstriveforbetter, sowehopeyouwillappreciatesomeofthechangeswe havemadethisyear.Mostnotablytheincreaseinprize money,improvedstablestaffoffering(currentlyranked 4thintheUK)andenhancedOwnersexperiencewitha dedicatedliaisontocaterforallyourneeds.
DoncasterRacecourseisextremelyproudto haveachievedGoldStandardfromtheROAfor ourOwners&Trainersfacilities.Youcanhelpus maintainthisbyprovidingfeedbacktotheROA whilstoncourse,andweappreciateyoursupport.
Wearealwaysonhandtoansweranyquestionsyoumay have,andwelookforwardtowelcomingyoutotheBetfred StLegerFestival.
ThankyouforyoursupportofDoncasterRacecourse andwewishyoualltheverybestofluck!
Yourssincerely,
DavidAttwood ClerkoftheCourse DoncasterRacecourse
T:+44(0)7860274289
E:dattwood@doncaster-racecourse.co.uk
W:doncaster-racecourse.co.uk
THE BETFRED ST LEGER
“DoncasterRacecourseisproudtoplayhost tooneofthemostprestigiousraceweeksof theBritishHorseRacingcalendar.Steeped inover200yearsofhistory,theBetfred StLegerFestivalishometotheWorld’s oldestClassic‘TheBetfredStLegerStakes’, foundedin1776byColonelAnthonyStLeger. Next willbe the250th YearofStLeger.
Nextyearwillbe the250 year YearofStLeger.
HISTORY OF THE ST LEGER FESTIVAL
TheStLegerFestival,heldannuallyatDoncaster Racecoursesince1776,isoneofBritishracing’s mostprestigiousandhistoricevents.Hometo therenownedStLegerStakes–theoldestofthe fiveBritishClassicsandthefinallegoftheTriple Crown–thefestivalisacelebrationofsporting excellence,andheritage.FoundedbyColonel AnthonyStLeger,theracewasoriginally designedtotestthestaminaandclassofthreeyear-oldthoroughbreds,anditcontinuesto dosotodayoverachallengingonemile,six furlongs,and115yards.
Spanningfourdayseach September,thefestivalfeatures arichprogramofeliteflatracing, beginningwiththeopening dayandbuildinguptothe showpieceStLegerStakesonthe Saturday.Itdrawstop-tierhorses, legendaryjockeys,andleading trainersfromaroundtheglobe, makingitacornerstoneofthe flatracingcalendar.Beyondthe track,theeventissynonymous withstyleandtradition–Ladies Dayisahighlight,showcasing highfashionandelegancein thegrandstands.Withavibrant atmosphere,ablendofhistory andmodernspectacle,andan enduringlegacy,theStLeger Festivalremainsamust-attend fixtureforracingenthusiastsand casualfansalike.
TRIPLE CROWN
TheStLegerStakesboastsaglitteringrollofhonour,featuringsomeof themostcelebratednamesinThoroughbredracinghistory.Asthefinal andmostdemandinglegofthereveredBritishTripleCrown–whichalso includesthe2000GuineasatNewmarketandtheEpsomDerby–theSt Legerisatruetestofstamina,class,andendurance.Securingvictory inallthreeoftheseprestigiousGroup1racesiswidelyregardedasthe pinnacleofachievementinBritishflatracing,afeatsorareithasonlybeen accomplishedbyaselectfew.Thelasthorsetocompletethetreblewas thelegendaryNijinskyin1970,cementinghisplaceinracingfolklore.
Inrecognitionofthechallengeandtoreigniteinterestinthishistorictreble, Betfredhasintroduceda£2millionTripleCrownBonusfor2024and2025. Thissubstantialincentiveisofferedtoanyhorsethatcanwinthe2000 Guineas,theDerby,andtheStLegerinthesameseason–ataskthat demandsbrilliance,versatility,andstayingpower.
WHO IS NIJINSKY?
Nijinsky,foaledin1967andtrainedbythe legendaryIrishtrainerVincentO’Brien,is widelyregardedasoneofthegreatest racehorsesinthehistoryofthesport.
BredinCanadabyE.P.Taylorandsired bytheinfluentialNorthernDancer,Nijinsky possessedararecombinationofspeed, stamina,andpresencethatcaptivated racingfansaroundtheworld.In1970,he etchedhisnameintotheannalsofturf historybybecomingthelasthorsetowinthe elusiveBritishTripleCrown,triumphinginthe 2,000GuineasatNewmarket,theDerbyat Epsom,andtheStLegerStakesatDoncaster. Thisremarkabletreblehadnotbeenachievedfor35yearsbefore Nijinsky,andnohorsehasmanageditsince.EachlegoftheTripleCrown demandsadifferentsetofqualities theGuineasrequiringspeedand precision,theDerbytestingbalanceandaccelerationoveraclassic middledistance,andtheStLegerchallengingstaminaoveramuch longertrip.Nijinskypassedeachofthesetestswithbrilliance,cementing hislegacyasatruephenomenonoftheturf.
Beyondhisracingcareer,Nijinskymadeasignificantimpactat stud,siringnumerousGroup1winnersandinfluencingbloodlines acrossgenerations.Hisgracefulstride,commandingpresence,and indomitablespiritremainiconic,andhis1970TripleCrownvictoryisstill heraldedasoneofthegreatestaccomplishmentsinThoroughbred racing.Morethanfivedecadeslater,Nijinsky’snamecontinuesto symbolisetheveryhigheststandardofequineexcellenceandthe enduringallureoftheTripleCrownchallenge.
THE TRACK
Doncasterisaleft-handedpear-shapedtrack,approx. 1m71/2furlongs(f)round.
ItispredominantlyflatwiththeexceptionofRoseHillwhichis approx.1m2ffromthefinishontheroundcourseanddropsdown tothehomestraight.
Fromthehometurnthereisastraightfinishofapprox.41/2f.
Doncasterhasa1milestraightanda1mileroundchute.Races over5f,6f,and7f areallonthestraightcourse.
Regularrailmovementsmeanthatsomeracesovertheround coursehaveextendeddistancessopleaseseeracedetailsforthis.
HOWCROFTLEGERSTANDANDECOPOWERGRANDSTAND
GOING REPORTS
Fromentrystagerightupto racingweprovideregular goingreportsviatheBHA websiteandthroughoursocial mediachannels.Thesewill beaccompaniedbydetailed weatherforecastsincluding videogoingreportsfromour DoncasterClerkXaccount.
YoucanalsocontacttheClerk oftheCourseanytimeforup totheminuteforecastsand conditions.Allgoingreports fromsevendaysoutrightup untilracedaymorningwillbe accompaniedbyaGoingStick reading.Theparametersfor Doncastercanbefoundonthe imagetotheright.
DavidAttwood
T:+44(0)7860274289
E:dattwood@doncaster-racecourse.co.uk
W:doncaster-racecourse.co.uk
: @doncasterraces
: DoncasterRaces
: DoncasterRacecourse(@DoncasterRaces)
: DoncasterClerk(@ClerkDoncaster)/X
STABLING AND ACCOMMODATION
Stabling
Ourstableyardhas148stableswiththeoptionof paperorshavingsasbedding.
Therearesixfully-rubberisedandcoveredwashdown bayswithhotandcoldwater,and30full-heighttack lockers.Coolingfansandself-fillingwatertroughs meanyourhorseiswelllookedafterduringyourstay.
24hrsecurityinboththestableyardand accommodationalongwithanon-callveterinary teammeansyoucanhavepeaceofmindregarding welfare.Allyourneedsandrequirementswillbelooked afterbyourdedicatedstablemanager–wecan caterforanyspecialrequests.
Accommodation
Ouron-siteaccommodationconsistsof30en-suite rooms,plusadayloungetorelaxin,adjacenttothe stableyardsoyouareonlyastone’sthrowawayfrom yourhorses.Ourchefwillprovidecomplimentaryhot mealsintheeveningduringdesignatedhours,soyour staffdon’thavetoworryaboutwheretoeataftera longjourneyorlongdays.
Thecanteenisopen4hrsbeforethefirstraceuntil 1hrafterthelastonracedays,offeringbreakfastand multiplehot&coldfoodoptionsthroughouttheday, cateringforalldietaryneeds.Allstablestaffreceive complimentarymealvouchers,bottledwaterand complimentaryfizzydrinkseachday.
Tobookstablesandovernight accommodationplease contact:
E:stabling@doncasterracecourse.co.uk or ClerkoftheCourse: DavidAttwood E:dattwood@ doncaster-racecourse.co.uk T:+44(0)7860274289
Additionalaccommodation isavailableatouron-site HiltonGardenInnHotel (pendingavailability).With fabulousensuiterooms, barandrestaurantoffering fantasticviewsofthetrack, it’sagreatlocationforan overnightstay. Tobookaroom,please contact: E:hgireservations@ doncaster-racecourse.co.uk or T:01302986888
HORSE WELFARE
AtDoncaster,horsewelfareisourhighest priority,andwe’vemadesignificant investmentsinrecentyearstoremainat theforefrontofequinecare.
FromthemomenthorsesarriveatDoncaster,they receiveexpertcarefromourdedicatedstableyard team,whoareon-sitearoundtheclock.
Ourstablesfeaturesixrubberised,coveredwash baysequippedwithbothhotandcoldwater.Large fansensureexcellentaircirculation,helpinghorses cooldownproperlyafterracing,especiallyimportant onwarmerdays.
Automaticwatertroughsarelocatedthroughout thepre-paradeandparaderings,withourequinetrainedstaffonhandtoassistwithhydrationas needed.Additionalwatersuppliesarecarriedinall groundstaffvehiclesandarereadilyavailableas horsesreturnfromthetrack.
Throughoutallfourdaysofracing,fourhighly experiencedequineveterinarysurgeonswillbe on-site,withaseniorvetavailable24/7tohandleany emergencies.
AnX-raymachineisalsoavailableateveryrace meeting,allowingforimmediatediagnosisand prompt,top-qualitycare.
PRIZE MONEY
Wearedelightedtoannouncean increaseinprizemoneyfortheStLeger Festivalacrossthefourdays.
Ourtotalprizemoneyisnow£2,971,500,with increasesatalllevels,meaningnoraceisrunfor lessthan£22,000atthisfixture.
Wearealsopleasedtobehostingthe£400,000 UAEPresidentCup(UKArabianDerby).
BEST
TURNED OUT
It’snotjusttheprizemoneywhich hasincreased.Wearealsogiving backtothehard-workingstable staffwhoputsomuchloveand careintolookingafterthehorses.
EveryracehasaminimumBest TurnedOutPrizeof£50with£3,680 intotalacrossthefourdays–the highlightbeing£500onoffertothe groominchargeoftheBestTurned OutintheStLegerStakes
BADGE ALLOCATION AND AND PARADE RING ACCESS RADE
Owners,Syndicates&SharedOwnershipsmayrequest uptoeightcomplimentaryOwners&Trainersbadgesper runner(registeredthroughPASSinadvanceoftheraceday) fortheOwners&Trainersrestaurant,whichincludesa complimentaryluncheon.Alternatively,Syndicates&Shared Ownershipsmayrequest20SyndicateLoungebadges.
ThenumberofOwnerspermitted intotheParadeRingiseightper horse.However,weappreciatethis isanextremelyimportantpartof anyOwner'svisitandifyourequire additionalbadges,pleaseaskin advanceandwherepossiblewewill trytoaccommodateyourrequest.
Wepolitelyaskthatallbadge requestsaremadeby16:00the daybeforeracing.
TobookintotheSyndicateLounge orifyouhaveanyissuesbooking badges,pleasecontact:
DINING AND HOSPITALITY OPTIONS
TheOwners&Trainersrestaurant isconvenientlylocatedinthe LogicianSuiteonthesecond flooroftheEco-Powerstand.This restaurantisreservedexclusively forOwners&Trainerswithrunners thatdayandoverlooksthe racecourseandfinishingstraight. Youwillhaveadedicatedhostfor theday,andyouwillbeoffereda complimentaryluncheon(witha validvoucher),afternooncakes withteaandcoffee,afullbar andToteservice. Ifyouhave anyspecificdietaryorallergen requirements,pleaseemail owners&trainers@ doncaster-racecourse.co.uk inadvanceofyourraceday.
IfOwners&Trainerswishtodinein oneofouralternativerestaurantsan exclusivediscountisavailable.
InadditiontoourexclusiveOwners& TrainersRestaurant,guestscanenjoy avarietyofexceptionaldiningoptions. Takeinspectacularviewsofthetrack fromtheHomeStraightorConduit Restaurants,orexplorefurtherwith TheGardenSuite,TheOldWeighing Room,andpremiumexperiencesin TheSkyGardenorthe1776Marquee –allavailableduringtheBetfred StLegerFestival.
TobookeitherTheHomeStraight RestaurantortheConduitRestaurant, pleasecontactoneoftheteamon 01302499730oremail racing@doncaster-racecourse.co.uk
WIN AND YOU’RE IN
Forthefirsttimeeverweareofferingthechanceforwinnersofspecificraces thefreeinitialentryintotheBetfredStLeger.
Thefollowingraceshavebeenchosentoprovideapotentialpathwayfor horsesandwehopeitissomethingwhichyouwillconsider:
Doncaster
24thJuly2025
Class2–NoviceStakes,1m4f-£40,000prizefund. Thisraceisfor3yoandupwardsNovicehorseswho havetakentimetodevelopbutarequicklyestablishing themselvesashighclassstayers.
Doncaster
9thAugust2025
ListedPrixMichelHouyvet,1m7f-€50,000prizefund
Thisraceisopento3yocoltsandfilliesonly, providingoneoftheearliestopportunitiesforblack typeoverthisstayingdistance.
13thSeptember2025
Class2EBFMaiden,1m-£50,000prizefund.
Thisraceisopentoall2yearoldsandprovidesfree entryintothe2026BetfredStLegerstakes.
Pleasenotevictoryinanyoneoftheseracesdoesnotguaranteeanentryas theusualentrycriteriastillapplies.PleaseseeRacingAdminforfulldetails.
Deauville
DAY 1 - LADIES DAY - THURSDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2025
Featuringthe£150,000Group2ParkHillStakes, the£140,000Group2MayHillStakes
*Pleasenotetheraceordersaresubjecttochange KEYDATES
19thAugust–2ndScratchforWeatherbysSprint 5thSeptember–Confirmationforallraces 9thSeptember–Declarationforallraces
JOCKEY:JimCrowley
BetfredDoncasterCup(Group2)3yo+ 12m1f197y £150,000 FlyingChilders(Group2)2yo 15f3y £130,000
BetfredMallardHandicap0-105–3yo+ 21m6f115y £70,000
BetfredFlyingScotsman–Listed–2yo 17f6y £65,000 EBFHandicap0-100–3yo+-Fillies
*Pleasenotetheraceordersaresubjecttochange
6thSeptember–Confirmationsforallraces 10thSeptember–Declarationsforallraces
WINNINGHORSE:SweetWilliam
OWNER:NormandieStudLtd
TRAINER:John&ThadyGosden
JOCKEY:RobertHavlin
DAY 3 - ST LEGER DAY - SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2025
Featuringthe£700,000Group1BetfredStLeger,the£150,000 Group2ChampagneStakesandthe£140,000Group2ParkStakes
BetfredChampagne(Group2)2yoColts 17f6y £150,000
BetfredParkStakes(Group2)3yo+ 17f6y £140,000
BetfredPortland(PremierHandicap)3yo+ 25f143y £100,000
*Pleasenotetheraceordersaresubjecttochange **TheWinnerofthisracewillreceivefreeentryintothe2026BetfredStLeger.
KEYDATES
5thAugust–EntryandStakefortheBetfredStLeger,BetfredChampagne& ParkStakes
26thAugust–1stScratchfortheBetfredStLeger,Champagne&ParkStakes 8thSeptember–Confirmation&SupplementaryEntriesfortheStLeger (£50,000)Champagne(£8,000)&Park(£8,000)
2024BETFREDSTLEGERWINNER
WINNINGHORSE:JanBrueghal
OWNER:Westerberg/MrsJMagnier/ MTabor/DSmith
TRAINER:APO’Brien
JOCKEY:RLMoore
DAY 4 - LEGER LEGENDS DAY - SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER
8thSeptember–Confirmationsforallraces 12thSeptember–Declarationsforallraces.
TRAVEL & PARKING
ByCar
DoncasterRacecourseboasts excellentlinkstothemotorway networkincludingM1(junction32), M18(junction3/4),A1M(junction36) andtheM62.
ForSatNavthepostcodeis DN26BB.IfyouuseWhatThree Words,theseareAREA.SHIRT. ASIDEforDoncaster.
Parking
PriorityparkingisreservedforOwners &TrainersandJockeysinCarParkA. Pleasefollowtheyellowdirectional signageforCarParkA,locatedoff LegerWayandspeaktooneofour parkingstewardsifyourequireany assistanceontheday.
Anumberofforwardparkingspaces arereservedforAccessibilityandBlue Badges.Theseareofferedonafirst comefirstservedbasis.Ifyouhave aparticularaccessibilityrequest, pleasecontacttheRacecourseOffice inadvanceofyourracedayon01302 304200andwewilldoourbestto accommodateyourrequests.
ByRail
DoncasterTrainStationislocated justtwomilesfromtheracecourse andofferseasyaccesswithboththe LondontoEdinburgh,andPlymouth toNewcastleservicesstoppingat DoncasterInterchange.
ByShuttle
WehaveaShuttleServicerunning onbetweentheRacecourseand DoncasterInterchange(Train Station)forallracemeetings.Itwill commencefromtheInterchange atapproximatelythetimeofour gateopeningandcontinueuntil approximately30minutesbefore ourfirstrace.Thereturnjourney (whichwillstopatadesignated pointonsoundofthebell)willstart justafterthepenultimaterace, andcontinueuntilapproximately onehourafterthelastrace.Ifthere isentertainmentfollowingracing theservicewillcontinueuntilthis hasfinished.
ShuttleBusinformationissubject tochangeandmaybeamended orwithdrawnwithoutpriornotice. From£3.00single,£5.00return. PleasechecktheTravelSouth Yorkshirewebsite.
ByAir
Wearewithineasyreachof Manchester,LeedsBradford andEastMidlandsairports.
Forhelicopterlandingpermission atDoncasterRacecourseplease contactPhillipatRotaryWing: E:ops@rotarywing.co.uk
PermissionWILLNOTbegranteduntil DoncasterRacecourseManagement CompanyLtdareinpossessionof, andhasconfirmedreceiptof,a completedInsuranceIndemnity andflightplan.
RachelHarwood ExecutiveDirector rharwood@doncaster-racecourse.co.uk
DavidAttwood ClerkoftheCourse dattwood@doncaster-racecourse.co.uk +44(0)7860274289
Stablingand OvernightStaffAccommodation stabling@doncaster-racecourse.co.uk
ChrisPatten OwnersLiaison cpatten@arcowners.co.uk +44(0)7884268149
RachelBlizzard Owners&Trainers owners&trainers@doncaster-racecourse.co.uk MainOffice reception@doncaster-racecourse.co.uk +44(0)1302304200
Hospitality racingnorth@arenaracingcompany.co.uk