Doncaster Racecourse has flourished since it was established in the 16th century. Also known as the Town Moor, the Yorkshire racecourse is home to the oldest of the Flat season?s five Classics, the St Leger, hosted in September.
Meetings at Doncaster bookend the turf season with the Lincoln kicking off the Flat action in March and the November Handicap closing the door on the turf. The Grimthorpe Chase and the Yorkshire Chase are the most valuable of its jumps races.
The Flat course is one of the fairest in the UK, it is a big, left-handed galloping track with a slight rise over the famous `Rose Hill?. There is a one mile straight course as well as a mile course which takes in a bend.
The Jumps Course is a left-handed, galloping track, playing to the strengths of horses who race prominently. The fences can be tricky and really test the horses? ability but the course is fair.
One of the longest-running racecourses, horse racing at Doncaster dates back to as early as 1595 when racing began at Town Moor. Doncaster?s first prestigious event was the Doncaster Gold Cup staged on Catley Common in 1766. This is now known as the Doncaster Cup which is one of the most historic races in the calendar.
The most prestigious event at Doncaster, the St Leger, was established in 1776 at the current venue by Colonel Anthony St Leger. Five horses lined up for the inaugural event and it remains the highlight of the four-day St leger meeting held in September.
