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
Irish St. Leger leading horses from the Irish St Leger sometimes go on to compete in the Melbourne Cup. The race has been sponsored by the Comer Group since 2014. It takes place on the second day of Irish Champions Weekend. Most successful horse (4 wins): Leading jockey (7 wins): Leading trainer (9 wins): Leading owner since 1960 (5 wins) (includes part ownership): Irish St. Leger "This page is about the horse race. For other uses, see Saint-Léger (disambiguation)" The Irish St Leger is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run