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
St Leger St Leger, 1st Viscount Doneraile several other members of his family, he served in the Irish House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Doneraile, sitting between 1749 and 1776. On 2 July 1776, St Leger was created Baron Doneraile in the Peerage of Ireland. On 5 January 1785, he was created Viscount Doneraile, of Doneraile in County Cork, the title previously held by his maternal relations. He married Mary Barry, the daughter of Redmond Barry, and together they had six children, including Hayes St Leger, 2nd Viscount. St Leger St Leger, 1st Viscount Doneraile St Leger St Leger, 1st Viscount Doneraile (born St