Doncaster Racecourse its present location and in 1776 Colonel Anthony St. Leger founded a race in which five horses ran. This race has remained in existence and become the world's oldest classic horse race. During the first world war the racecourse was used for military purposes and substitute races were run at Newmarket from 1915 to 1918. Doncaster has the distinction of both starting and ending the flat season on turf. Every September, Doncaster hosts the prestigious four-day William Hill St. Leger Festival, which is acclaimed as the premier sporting occasion of the Autumn calendar. Doncaster has also taken over events whose
Arthur St Leger, 1st Viscount Doneraile Doneraile seems to have been moved by simple family loyalty, as he and his brother were close. He married Elizabeth Hayes, the daughter of John Hayes, on 24 June 1690. Together they had four children. Both of his two surviving sons would, in turn, succeed to his titles. Arthur St Leger, 1st Viscount Doneraile Arthur St Leger, 1st Viscount Doneraile (died 7 July 1727) was an Anglo-Irish politician and peer. St Leger was the son of John St. Leger and his first wife Lady Mary Chichester, the daughter of Arthur Chichester, 1st Earl of Donegall and his first wife Dorcas