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St Leger Festival 2024 Betting Offers

365 st legerThe St Leger Stakes is the stand out Group 1 flat race of the festival. The race is the 5th of the five ‘classics’ in the season as well as the third and final leg of the Triple Crown (with the Epsom Derby and the 2000 Guineas) and fillies Triple Crown (with the Epsom Oaks and 1000 Guineas). The St Leger is the oldest of all the classic races, dating back to 1776, and also the longest of them all, run over 1 mile and 6 furlongs (just under 3km).

The 2024 festival is sponsored by Betfred with prize money for for the winner of the St Leger expected to approach £425,000 with an overall purse in excess of £775k. The 2023 race was won by the Aidan O’Brien trained horse Continuous ridden by Ryan Moore.

It’s not all about the St Leger stakes either with four days of racing to enjoy over the festival that includes another 29 races, 7 of which are group races.  Since 2023 the event also runs from Thursday to Sunday , the Sunday being branded as a community funday.

As the last major flat race of the season the St leger attracts a lot of betting as punters have had the whole season to study the horses in the best form. As usual don’t just bet with any old bookie, visit this page for the best ante-post promotions and latest deals updated daily through the festival.

St Leger Betting Offers for 2024

This event has not started yet, please check back nearer the time. For other offers see our main loyalty page.

St Leger Festival Schedule & Racecard 2024

horses racing along a flat course

The St Leger Festival sees six Group 2 and a Group 3 race in addition to the crowing jewel Group 1 race the St Leger Stakes on the Saturday.  From 2023 onwards the festival has moved from Wednesday to Saturday to Thursday to Sunday.

The festival is all about building up to the Sunday with a progressive card that gets more exciting as the days go by. Below you will find full race cards for each day of the St Leger Festival with highlights.

You can read more about the St Leger itself in more detail further down along with other feature races.

Day One (Ladies Day) – Thursday 12th September

Time Race Grade Details Distance
1:15 Apprentice Handicap Class 4 3YO+ 6f 2y
1:50 Fillies’ Nursery Handicap Class 2 2YO Only Fillies 6f 111y
2:25 Weatherbys 2 Year Old Stakes Class 2 2YO Only 6f 111y
3:00 May Hill Stakes Group 2 2YO Only Fillies 1m
3:35 Park Hill Stakes Group 2 3YO+ Fillies & Mares 1m 6f 115y
4:10 Donaster Handicap Class 2 3YO Only 1m 2f 43y
4:45 Skopes Handicap Class 3 3YO+ 1m 3f 197y
5:20 Nursery Handicap Class 5 2YO Only 7f 6y

KEY: m – Miles, f – furlong(s), y – yards

Day Two (Doncaster Cup Day) – Friday 13th September

Time Race Grade Details Distance
1:15 EBF Fillies’ Handicap Class 2 2YO Only 7f 6y
1:50 Flying Scotsman Stakes Listed (Class 1) 2YO Only 7f 6y
2:25 Flying Childers Stakes Group 2 2YO Only 5f 3y
3:00 Doncaster Cup Group 2 3YO+ 2m 1f 197y
3:35 Mallard Handicap Class 2 3YO+ 1m 6f 115y
4:10 EBF Fillies’ Handicap Class 2 3YO+ Fillies 1m 3f 197y
4:45 Doncaster Handicap Class 2 4YO+ 6f 111y
5:20 Nursery Handicap Class 4 2YO Only 6f 2y

KEY: m – Miles, f – furlong(s), y – yards

Day Three (St Leger Day) – Saturday 14th September

Time Race Grade Details Distance
1:50 Champagne Stakes Group 2 2YO Only Colts & Geldings 7f 6y
2:25 Portland Handicap Class 2 3YO+ 5f 143y
3:00 Park Stakes Group 2 3YO+ 7f 6y
3:35 St Leger Stakes Group 1 3YO Only No Geldings 1m 6f 115y
4:10 P J Towey Handicap Class 2 4YO+ 1m 2f 43y
4:45 EBF Maiden Stakes Class 2 2YO Only 1m
5:20 Hippo Handicap Class 2 3YO+ 1m

KEY: m – Miles, f – furlong(s), y – yards

Day Four (Community Funday) – Sunday 15th September

Time Race Grade Details Distance
1:50 Hippo Handicap Class 5 3YO+ 1m 2f 43y
2:25 Doncaster Handicap Class 2 3YO Only 7f 6y
3:00 Leger Legends Classified Stakes Class 5 3YO+ 1m
3:35 Sceptre Fillies’ Stakes Group 3 3YO+ Fillies 7f 6y
4:10 Scarbrough Stakes Listed (Class 1) 2YO Only 5f 3y
4:45 Nursery Handicap Class 4 2YO Only 1m
5:20 Memorial Handicap Class 5 3YO+ 5f 143y

KEY: m – Miles, f – furlong(s), y – yards

About the St Leger

st leger old photo from 1800's

The race was established in 1776, organised by the second Marquess of Roackingham. In its first year the race was actually known as the Sweepstake of 25 Guineas held at Cantley Common and it was one of the Marquess’ own horses who won the inaugural race, a filly named Allabaculia.

At a dinner party held the following year to discuss the next race it was proposed the race should be renamed after the Marquess of Rockingham but he politely refused. Instead he proposed the race be named after a local Major General in the British army, Antony St Leger.

Following a successful career in the army Antony St Leger became owner of a local estate where he bred and race horses. Anthony was also local MP for Grimbsy from 1768-74 and was somewhat of a local celebrity among the gentry and he helped devise the 2-mile inaugural race.

st leger race modern day

In 1778 the race was moved to its present location of Doncaster racecourse, named then Town Moor. In 1800 the race gained extra prestige as the first ever double champion to win both the Derby and the St Leger emerged, the horse was aptly named Champion. In 1813 the race was reduced to 1 mile and 6 furlongs where it has remained for the over 200 years since. West Australian became the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 1853 winning the St leger, the Derby and the 2000 Guineas in the same season.

The St Leger has been a main stay of the British flat racing calendar for over 200 years. The longest and last of the five classic races in the season has only been halted by war and has pretty much always been run at Doncaster. The only one of the classics to be held at a Northern English race course.

The race was transferred to Newmarket during World War I at which time it was named the September Stakes. During World War II the race did not run at all in 1939 and moved to Thirsk in 1940, Manchester held the race in 1941 and it was back to Newmarket from 1942 to 1944 before York hosted the race in 1945 before moving back to Doncaster.

The race has been held once outside of England in 1989 when it was move to Ayr in Scotland due to subsidence at Doncaster.  In 2022 the race was moved back a day due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II, in a mark of respect to the monarch the loved racing more than any other sport.  She won the St Leger in 1977 with Dumfermline, who won the Oaks in the same year.

St Leger Records and Statistics

Statistic
Top Jockey Bill Scott – 9 Wins (From 1821 to 1846)
Top Trainer John Scott – 16 wins (From 1827 to 1862)
Top Owner Archibald Hamilton – 7 winners (From 1786 to 1814)
Fastest Time Logician in 2019, 3m 00.27s
Biggest Margin Never Say Die in 1954 by 12 lengths
Longest Odds Theodore in 1822 at 200/1
Shortest Odds Galtee More in 1897 at 1/10
Biggest Field 30 runners in 1825
Smallest Field 3 runners in 1917

Other Feature Races

welcome to doncaster racecourse st leger festival sign

Scarbrough Stakes (Listed)

The Scarbrough Stakes is open to 2-year-olds and over and is run over 5 furlongs and 3 yards. Winners of Group 1 and Group 2 races after the 31st of March are excluded, however. The following weight information applies to the race:

  • 2-year-olds: 8 stone 3 pounds
  • 3-year-olds: 9 stone 10 pounds
  • 4-year-olds and over: 9 stone 11 pounds
  • Fillies and mares get a 5 pound allowance
  • Group 3 race winners since the 31st of March receive a 5 pound penalty
  • Listed race winners since the 31st of March receive a 3 pound penalty

Between 1983 and today, three horses have won this Listed race twice but no horses have won it three times.

May Hill Stakes (Group 2)

Run over 1 mile on the straight, the May Hill Stakes is open to 2-year-old fillies. The weight is 9 stone, with Group 1 and Group 2 winners receiving a 3 pound penalty.

The race is named after a filly who won the Park Hill Stakes in 1975 and was established the following year. It was a Group 3 offering before being promoted to Group 2 in 2003. Horses that do well in this race are often also competitive in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket.

Frankie Dettori is the leading jockey in this race with 6 wins spread between 1998 and 2021.  Henry Cecil holds the trainer title with 12 wins, the last of which was in 2001.

Park Hill Stakes (Group 2)

Inaugurated in 1839, the race is named after a local estate called Park Hill that had previously been owned by Anthony St. Leger. St. Leger, of course, was the man who founded the St. Leger Stakes, which is considered to be Doncaster’s most prestigious event.

When the race was first run it was limited to 3-year-old fillies and when the current grading of races came about it was a Group 2 offering. It was opened to fillies and mares aged 4 and over in 1991, when it was relegated to become a Group 3 race, returning to Group 2 in 2004.

The race is currently for fillies and mares aged 3 and over. It is run left-handed over 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 115 yards, with the following weight information:

  • 3-year-olds: 8 stone 9 pounds
  • 4-year-olds and over: 9 stone 5 pounds
  • Group 1 winners after the 31st of March receive a 5 pound penalty
  • Group 2 winners after the 31st of Match receive a 3 pound penalty

In terms of interesting trivia surrounding the race, spectators rioted in 1857 when a horse named Blink Bonny won the race. They felt that she should have won the St. Leger the day before but had been stopped from doing so dishonestly.

Sceptre Stakes (Group 3)

Named after the only horse to win four British Classic races outright.  Sceptre won the 1000 & 2000 Guineas, Epsom Oaks and the St Leger in 1902.

The race was established in 1986 and was initially run over a single mile, at which time it was a listed race.  In 1993 the length was reduced by one furlong to 7 furlongs and in 2011 it was promoted to group 3.

Open to fillies and mares of three years of age or greater, it has the following weight restriction:

  • 3-year-olds: 8 stone 12 pounds
  • 4-year-olds and over: 9 stone 2 pounds
  • Group 1 winners after the 31st of March receive a 7 pound penalty
  • Group 2 winners after the 31st of Match receive a 5 pound penalty
  • Group 2 winners after the 31st of Match receive a 3 pound penalty

The most successful trainer is Barry Hills with 5 wins and the most successful jockey is his son, Michael Hills, with 4 victories.

Flying Childers Stakes (Group 2)

This Group 2 flat race is run on the straight over 5 furlongs and 3 yards. It is limited to 2-year-olds with a weight of 9 stone and 1 pound, though fillies get a 3 pound allowance.

Named after an 18th century racehorse that had been bred at nearby Carr House, the race was established in 1967 as the Norfolk Stakes. It got its current moniker in 1973 and was a Group1 offering until it was downgraded to Group 2 in 1979.

Frankie Dettori has the most wins in this race as a jockey with 6 victories between 2003 and 2019.  Sir Michael Stoute is the leading trainer with 5 wins, the last in 2001.

Doncaster Cup (Group 2)

Established as the Doncaster Gold Cup in 1766, it was formed ten years earlier than the St. Leger Stakes, making it the oldest race that still takes place at the course. The first ten years worth of races took place at Cantley Common, moving to the current location in 1776.

It was a 4 mile race when it was first run, being shortened to 2 miles and 5 furlongs in 1825 then 2 miles and 2 furlongs in 1891. That wasn’t the end of the shifting length of the race, dropping another furlong in 1908 and then getting its former length restored in 1927.

The Doncaster Cup was a Group 3 race when the current gradings were introduced in 1971 but was promoted to Group 2 in 2003, which is has remained ever since. It is considered to be one of the most prestigious races in Britain for Stayers and is the last leg of the Stayers’ Triple Crown, coming after the Gold Cup at Ascot and the Goodwood Cup.

Run left-handed over 2 miles, 1 furlong and 197 yards, the race is for horses aged 3 and over. The following weight information is in play:

  • 3-year-olds: 8 stone 7 pounds
  • 4-year-olds and over: 9 stone 5 pounds
  • Fillies and mares get a 3 pound allowance
  • Group 1 winners receive a 5 pound allowance
  • Group 2 winners receive a 3 pound allowance

Portland Handicap

There aren’t many handicaps run at Doncaster during the St. Leger Festival, but the Portland Handicap is one. It’s run on the straight over 5 furlongs and 143 yards and is open to horses aged 3 and over. As it’s a handicap race there’s no specific weight information to tell you about, with the handicapper deciding what each horse should carry according to their ability.

The race was first run in 1855 when it was known as the Portland Plate. In its more formative years the race was started at a place on the course that was opposite a coaching inn known as the Red House, with the positioning of the start meaning that there was a left-handed band halfway through the race.

Park Stakes (Group 2)

This Group 2 race is run over 7 furlongs and 6 yards on the straight. It’s for horses aged 3 and over, with the following weight information:

  • 3-year-olds: 9 stone
  • 4-year-olds and over: 9 stone 4 pounds
  • Fillies and mares get a 3 pound allowance
  • Group 1 race winners after the 31st of March receive a 5 pound penalty
  • Group 2 race winners after the 31st of March receive a 3 pound penalty

The race inaugurated in 1978 and for a time was known as the Kiveton Park Stakes because of sponsorship by Kiveton Park Steel. It was Listed and run over 7 furlongs for a while, promoted to Group 3 in 1986 and then extended to a mile in length seven years later.

The race was given its current title in 1996 when the word ‘Kiverton’ was removed, reverting back to being 7 furlongs in length in 2003 and gaining Group 2 status the following year.

Champagne Stakes (Group 2)

Established in 1823, the race was originally open to both male and female horses. It was initially run over a mile, shortened to 6 furlongs in 1870 and then lengthened to 7 furlongs in 1962. The restriction to male horses came about in 1988.

Open to 2-year-old colts and geldings, the Group 2 race is run on the straight over 7 furlongs and 6 yards. The weight is 9 stone, with Group 1 and Group 2 winners receiving a penalty of 3 pounds.

Horses that do well in the Champagne Stakes often go on to compete in the Dewhurst Stakes, run at Newmarket the following month.

Doncaster Racecourse

doncaster welcome signDoncaster today boasts one of the largest courses by capacity in the United Kingdom and it is also one of the oldest race tracks. Originally named Town Moor there are records of racing being held there from the 1500’s in Henry VIII’s time.

In the year 1600 local law makers attempted to bar racing at the Moor due the attraction of unscrupulous characters but gave up by 1614 instead trying to control racing by marking out an actual course, Doncaster never looked back.

The St Leger may be the oldest classic and the most prestigious race associated with the course but there is in fact an even older race that heralds from Doncaster that is still run today on the third day of the festival, the Doncaster Cup.

The race, initially named the Doncaster Gold Cup, is actually the oldest regulated horse race in the world still going today. It is also one of the longest, and the longest race of the 29 races of the St Leger Festival, held over 2 miles and 2 furlongs, and currently runs on day three of the festival.

When the race was first devised and run in 1766 it was held over an even longer distance of 4 miles, a true race for British stayers, it was reduced to its current length in 1825. The Doncaster Cup is still part of the Stayers triple Crown along with the Goodwood Cup and the Gold Cup at Ascot.

doncaster racecourse from above

The course holds another group 1 flat race in October each year, the Futurity Trophy. Run over 1 mile the race goes back to 1961 when it was named the Timeform Gold Cup. The Observer newspaper were sponsors of the race when it achieved group one status in 1971 followed by William Hill in 1976 and the Racing Post in 1989 until 2018 when asset management company Vertem took over. The prize purse for this race today is around £250,000 with up to £150,000 for the winner.

Doncaster has a modern claim to fame too. In 1992 it became the first British racecourse to host a Sunday meeting. Over 23,000 spectators turned up to watch despite their being no ability to bet on a Sunday at the time.

The course is left handed, mainly flat and in the shape of a pear, over a distance of 1 mile and 7.5 furlongs, that’s 3.1 km in new money. The course is used for both flat racing and jump racing in the National Hunt season.

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