Doncaster Racecourse: St Leger, Facts and Betting Guide
Doncaster is home of the St Leger, Britain’s oldest Classic, and it opens and closes the turf Flat season. Here are the big races, the history, how to get there and how betting works on course.
Biggest races at Doncaster
Doncaster bookends the Flat season, with the St Leger in between.
The St Leger Festival
- St Leger (Group 1, 1m 6f 115y), Saturday
- Doncaster Cup, Champagne Stakes, Flying Childers
- May Hill and Park Hill Stakes, plus the Portland Handicap
- 2027 dates: Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 September
Start and end of the Flat
- Lincoln Handicap opens the turf Flat season in March
- November Handicap closes it
- Futurity Trophy (Group 1, 2yo) in late October
Jumps
- Yorkshire Chase in late January
- Grimthorpe Chase in early March
Doncaster facts and history
Two and a half centuries of Classic racing.
The track
Doncaster is a left-handed, pear-shaped galloping course of about 1m 7½f. It is mostly flat, with only a slight rise about 1m 2f from home and a sweeping turn about 4½f out.
The straight course is wide and used for races from 5f to a mile. The round mile starts from a chute. It is regarded as one of the fairest tracks in Britain and drains well. The jumps course is essentially flat.
Getting to Doncaster
By train
Doncaster station is about 2 miles away. On most major racedays a shuttle bus runs from Doncaster Interchange, next to the station (about £3 single or £5 return).
By road
Doncaster is close to the M18 (J3 or J4), the M1 (J32), the A1(M) (J36) and the M62.
Car Park C is free, except during the St Leger Festival.
Betting at Doncaster
You can bet at Doncaster with Britbet, the bookmakers in the betting ring, or your phone.
On your phone
Your usual app works on course just as it does at home. On big days, set your account up, verify it and add funds before you travel, so you can bet straight away.
Compare the odds in the app with the boards in the ring before you bet. The best price is not always in the same place.
On course
Since November 2025, pool betting at Doncaster has been run by Britbet rather than the Tote. There are Britbet windows in each enclosure and bookmakers in the trackside betting ring. Hospitality guests can also bet at their table.
Read our guide to betting at the racecourse for how Britbet and the ring work.
Betting on your phone at the track?
Compare UK racing apps by their real App Store and Google Play ratings.
Doncaster FAQs
Where is Doncaster Racecourse?
Doncaster Racecourse is on Leger Way, Doncaster DN2 6BB. It is run by Arena Racing Company.
When is the 2027 St Leger Festival?
The 2027 St Leger Festival runs from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 September 2027, with the St Leger on the Saturday.
Who won the 2026 St Leger?
Highwayman won the 2026 St Leger at 11/1, ridden by Saffie Osborne and trained by Joseph O’Brien.
Is there a shuttle bus to Doncaster Racecourse?
Yes. On most major racedays a shuttle bus runs from Doncaster Interchange, next to the station.
Is the Tote at Doncaster?
Pool betting at Doncaster has been run by Britbet since November 2025. There are Britbet windows in each enclosure.
What is the oldest Classic?
The St Leger, first run at Doncaster in 1776.
Sources: Doncaster: getting here · Doncaster: betting · Wikipedia: Doncaster Racecourse · Racing Post: Britbet pools. Facts checked October 2026; fixtures and travel details can change, so check with the course before you go.
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