St. Leger family of Lt. Col. (later Major-General) Anthony St. Leger, and ran for the first time over a two-mile course on Cantley Common in Doncaster. The classic race, The St. Leger, has been run at Doncaster ever since. Most St. Legers in the UK today descend from Sir Anthony St. Leger, KG of Ulcombe, Kent. The Viscounts Doneraile, whose seat was at Doneraile, Co. Cork, in Ireland, descend from Sir Anthony's first son, William, and the Heywards Hill branch of the family, also originally of Co. Cork, descend from his second son, Warham. (The account given in the "Peerage of Ireland" by
St. Leger family Jean St. Leger (1160–1216) 'lived mainly on his French lands in Normandy whilst his brother Wizo cared for the lands at Fairlight in Sussex. As a result of his feudal duties, he accompanied the French King Philip August on his conquest of Normandy, placed thus in a bad position, in reprisal the English King confiscated his English lands and arrested him on reconquering Normandy. Jean was held prisoner at Corfe Castle in Dorset for many years. The Barons revolt allowed the St. Leger family to offer ransom/release aided by the English Master Templar Roger St. Leger on 30 Aug 1216.