Doncaster Racecourse Guide

Doncaster is another of the jewels in Yorkshire's not-to-be-underestimated racing crown and the home of two Group 1 races, including the final British Classic of the season, the St Leger.

The racecourse at Doncaster, often affectionately known as Town Moor, can be dated as far back as the late 16th century.

The Doncaster Cup is staged there, a race first established in 1766, while the St Leger remains the course's most famous race - it's the oldest of Britain's five Classics and the last to be run each year.

We have put together the ultimate guide for everything you need to know about the popular racecourse.

Doncaster Racecourse Location

Where is Doncaster?

Doncaster Racecourse is situated on Leger Way in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, close to the city centre.

How to get to Doncaster Racecourse

By Train

The track is about a 10-minute drive from Doncaster's main train station. A Bus shuttle service operates between the course and the station for all race meetings.

By Car

• Doncaster racecourse is easily reachable by car and is close to the motorway network.

• When coming via the M1 leave at junction 32

• M18 - take junction 3/4

• A1M - via junction 36.

• Car Parking is Free (outside of the Leger Festival) in Car Park C, which can be accessed opposite the junction by Wickes on Leger Way.

Doncaster Racecourse Layout

Track Layout

The left-handed, galloping Flat track at Doncaster is considered by most to be one of the fairest courses in the country, essentially flat with the exception of a slight uphill gradient about a mile-and-a-quarter from the finishing line.

Races between five furlongs and a mile are run on the straight course, though there is also a round mile start on an off-shoot of the round course.

The excellent draining on the course at Doncaster means conditions often favour speedier types despite its galloping nature. This is true both on the Flat and over obstacles.

In National Hunt terms, it can be a long way home from the back straight and jockeys will ideally want to travel strongly into the home straight before committing a horse.

Enclosures and Viewing Areas

The list of enclosures, bars and viewing areas at Doncaster Racecourse are as follows:

• Premier Enclosure

• Home Straight Restaurant

• Grandstand Enclosure

• Family Enclosure

• Hospitality

• Owners & Trainers

• County Enclosure

• Conduit Restaurant

• The Champagne Lawn

• Nijinsky Suite

• Halmahera Bar

• The Lord Clifton Bar

• The Clock Tower Bar

Key Races at Doncaster

St Leger

The St Leger, first run in 1776, is the world's oldest Classic race and is staged in mid-September as part of a three-day St Leger Festival.

The St Leger is run over an extended one-mile-and-six-furlongs - the longest distance of the five British Classics.

The St Leger is the final leg of the 'Triple Crown' after the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Epsom Derby. No horse since Nijinsky in 1970 has managed to complete the feat of winning all three races. 

Doncaster Cup

The Group 2 Doncaster Cup is the oldest race currently run under the rules of horse racing and a contest won in recent times by Ascot Gold Cup winners like Estimate (2014) and Stradivarius (2019 & 2021).

The prestigious St Leger meeting also boasts such races as the Champagne Stakes, Flying Childers Stakes, May Hill Stakes and the Portland Handicap.

Futurity Trophy

The Futurity Trophy is a one-mile contest for two-year-olds and is the final British Group 1 of the season.

Six winners have subsequently achieved victory in the following year's Derby: Reference Point (1986), High Chaparral (2001), Motivator (2004), Authorized (2006), Camelot (2011), and Auguste Rodin (2022).

Doncaster also stages the first and last turf race meetings of the Flat season, starting with the Lincoln Meeting in March and ending on November Handicap Day.

Town Moor is also a venue for National Hunt racing, with the winter pursuit running when the Flat is out of season and the Grimthorpe Chase in early March – often a possible Grand National trial – is one of Doncaster's main jump races.

Doncaster Racecourse History

Doncaster Racecourse Opening Date

Records of regular race meetings at Doncaster date back to the 16th century, and a map of 1595 shows a racecourse of some sort at Town Moor, which is thought to have been officially opened by 1614.

In more modern times, Doncaster is the venue for two of Great Britain's 36 annual Group 1 flat races, the St Leger Stakes and the Futurity Trophy.

The racecourse is also used for other functions and regularly hosts conventions such as the Tattoo Festival and business meetings, while pop concerts, charity events and other fairs are staged there.