Doncaster Horse Races

Doncaster has a long history which can be traced back to the 16th century so it is no surprise that 2 of the world’s oldest races are still run at the track with The Doncaster Cup been the oldest continuing regulated race in the world having first been run in 1766 and The St Leger Stakes which was first run in 1776.

Doncaster has the honour of starting the flat season and ending it which means that there are great flat races to watch via GGTV from early spring right through the summer to autumn.

Even better news for racing fans is that throughout the winter that track also hosts hurdle, chase and jump meeting with big races held in January, November and December.

Doncaster is a left handed track of around 1 mile and 7 furlongs which the course been mostly flat which leads to high speed racing that you can watch via GGTV.

Watch each and every race live from Doncaster racecourse online via our Doncaster Racing Live Stream partners.

Doncaster races is one of the most historic racecourses and it is one of the largest in terms of overall capacity but from a fan point of view the best aspect of Doncaster racecourse is the incredible races that it offers fan.

Thanks to offering both flat and National hunt racing, there is lots of action to be enjoyed all year round and no matter what your prefeed type of racing is, you can enjoy it live from Doncaster.

Racing in Doncaster can be traced back to the 16th century, which in part is the reason, along with the continued and growing success of the races, is why the course is home to 2 of the oldest races in the world.

The first big race to develop in Doncaster was the aptly named Doncaster Cup which to this very day is part of the British Stayer Triple Crown, along with the Goodwood Cup and the Ascot Gold Cup.

The 2nd historical race to be held at the course is the iconic St Leger takes which moved to Doncaster in 1776.

Alongside those 2 races, there are a number of notable races held at the Donny on the flat course and over the hurdles and jumps.

For flat racing fans, the summer season offers a whole host of must watch races including the Cammidge Trophy (a listed race run over 6 furlongs), the Doncaster Miles Stakes (a listed race run over 1 mile), the Lincoln Handicap (a handicap race run over 1 mile), the Sceptre Stakes (a group 3 race run over 7 furlongs), the Park Hill Stakes (a group 2 race run over 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards0, the Flying Childers Stakes (a group 2 race run over 5 furlongs), the Doncaster Cup (a group 2 race run over 2 miles and 2 furlongs), the May Hill Stakes (a group 2 race run over 1 mile), the Champagne Stakes (a group 2 race run over 7 furlongs), the Portland Handicap (run over 5 furlongs and 140 yards), the Park Stakes (a group 2 race run over 5 furlongs), the Vertem Futurity Trophy (a group 1 race run over 1 mile and 4 furlongs), the November Handicap (run over 1 mile and 4 furlongs) and the St Leger Stakes (a group 1 race run over 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards).

If hurdle racing is your preferred type, the top races on offer at Donny include the Yorkshire Rose Mares Hurdle (a grade 2 race run over 2 miles and 110 yards), the River Don Novices Hurdles (a grade 2 race run over 3 miles and 110 yards) and the Summit Juvenile Hurdle (a grade 2 race run over 2 miles and 110 yards).

For steeplechase fans, the top races at Donny include the Great Yorkshire Chase (a handicap race run over 3 miles), the Lightning Novices Chase (a grade 2 race run over 2 miles and 110 yards), the Grimethorpe Handicap Chase (run over 3 miles and 2 furlongs) and the December Novices Chase (a grade 2 race run over 3 miles).

No matter if you want to watch one of those incredible races listed above or any other race from Donny races, you can do via any of the great bookies listed on this page.

No longer do you need to be at the course in person to watch all of the action, you can simply register with one of the bookies listed here and watch live via your phone, tablet, laptop or computer.

Whilst there is a wagering requirement that must be met before you can watch a race live, the chances are that if you are looking for a Donny races live stream, you are also interested in betting on the action, so why not simply bet at a bookie that allows you to watch along live?

Cheer on your chosen horse live from Donny races via our Doncaster races live streaming partners.

As one of the countries leading racecourse that offers a mix of flat and national hunt racing, it is no surprise that Donny is home to many great horse races and the great news for fans is that they can all be enjoyed live online via the Doncaster races live streaming services that we feature on this very page.

Here are our picks for the best races to watch live from Doncaster races.

Sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries: The beginnings of Doncaster Races

Doncaster Racecourse is one of Britain’s oldest established racing venues, with records of regular horse racing meetings dating back to the sixteenth century. The races developed on Town Moor, an area of open land that provided space for sporting gatherings and attracted large crowds from the surrounding region.

By the beginning of the seventeenth century, racing had become popular enough to concern local authorities. In 1600, Doncaster’s corporation attempted to stop the meetings because of the unruly crowds they attracted. The effort did not succeed in ending the sport’s popularity. By 1614, the authorities had abandoned the attempt to suppress racing and formally established a dedicated racecourse instead.

This early history reflects the longstanding appeal of horse racing as a public spectacle. Meetings offered competition, entertainment and a social gathering, attracting people from Doncaster and neighbouring communities. Town Moor became the foundation of the racecourse’s identity, and it remains the location of Doncaster Racecourse today.

1766: The Doncaster Cup is established

A major milestone came in 1766, when the Doncaster Cup was first run. The race is widely recognised as the oldest regulated horse race still run under established racing rules. It predates the St Leger Stakes by ten years and has remained an important part of Doncaster’s racing heritage.

The Doncaster Cup developed into a leading staying race, testing horses over a long distance and rewarding stamina as well as tactical judgement. Today, it is a Group 2 contest run over approximately two miles and two furlongs and forms part of the St Leger Festival.

The creation of the Doncaster Cup helped establish the town’s reputation as a serious racing destination. It also laid the groundwork for the prestigious programme of races that would follow, drawing owners, trainers, jockeys and spectators to Town Moor.

1776: The first St Leger Stakes

The most famous event in Doncaster’s history began in 1776, when the St Leger Stakes was first run. The race was conceived by Anthony St Leger, a former army officer and politician who lived near Doncaster, with the support of Charles Watson-Wentworth, the 2nd Marquess of Rockingham.

The inaugural contest took place at Cantley Common, close to Doncaster, as a sweepstake for three-year-old horses. The race was initially unnamed. It was subsequently moved to Town Moor, where it acquired the name St Leger in honour of its founder.

The St Leger became an important contest for three-year-old thoroughbreds, testing their ability over a distance considerably longer than a sprint. Its place in the calendar eventually established it as the final race in the traditional British Triple Crown, following the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby.

The first running in 1776 began a tradition that has continued for 250 years. In 2026, Doncaster marks the 250th anniversary of the inaugural race, celebrating a contest that has become central to the town’s identity and one of the most recognisable events in British flat racing.

The nineteenth century: Growth and national importance

During the nineteenth century, Doncaster Racecourse developed into a major fixture in the British sporting calendar. The St Leger attracted increasingly large crowds, and the town became associated with the annual September meeting. The arrival and expansion of the railways made travel easier, helping visitors reach Doncaster from other parts of Britain.

The racecourse’s growth reflected wider changes in horse racing. The sport became more formally organised, racing records gained greater importance and the breeding of thoroughbreds developed into a sophisticated industry. Major races such as the St Leger and Doncaster Cup offered owners and breeders valuable opportunities to demonstrate the quality of their horses.

The St Leger also became the final stage of the British Triple Crown, a distinction awarded to a horse that wins the 2,000 Guineas, the Derby and the St Leger in the same season. This is an exceptionally difficult achievement because the races test different combinations of speed, stamina and maturity.

West Australian became the first horse to complete the Triple Crown in 1853. Other notable champions followed, but the achievement remains rare. Nijinsky completed the feat in 1970, and no horse has repeated it since.

1858 and 1965: The Lincoln Handicap moves to Doncaster

The Lincoln Handicap was first run at Lincoln Racecourse in 1858. It became a recognised event in the British flat racing calendar, attracting horses competing over a straight mile in a handicap contest.

When Lincoln Racecourse closed, the race transferred to Doncaster in 1965. The move gave Doncaster another important fixture and helped strengthen its role across the flat racing season. The Lincoln Handicap is now closely associated with the opening of the British flat turf season, traditionally taking place in the spring.

Doncaster’s calendar therefore developed a distinctive pattern. The Lincoln meeting signals the return of flat racing on turf, while the November Handicap traditionally provides a major finale to the flat season. Together, these fixtures give the racecourse a prominent place at both ends of the annual flat racing calendar.

1902: Sceptre makes racing history

One of the most extraordinary achievements associated with Doncaster came in 1902, when the filly Sceptre enjoyed a remarkable season. Trained by Robert Sievier, Sceptre became the only horse to win four of Britain’s five Classics in a single year.

Her victories included the 2,000 Guineas, the 1,000 Guineas, the Oaks and the St Leger. The combination was unprecedented and remains unmatched. Winning four Classics required exceptional ability and versatility, as the races presented different distances and demands across the season.

Sceptre’s St Leger victory at Doncaster completed her remarkable collection of four Classic wins and secured her place among the most celebrated horses in British racing history. Her achievement continues to be referenced whenever the greatest Classic campaigns are discussed.

1914–1918: The First World War

The First World War disrupted racing across Britain. At Doncaster, the St Leger and associated meetings were transferred to Newmarket between 1915 and 1918. The temporary relocation allowed the race to continue during the conflict, although it meant that Doncaster could not host its most famous event during those years.

The racecourse itself was also used for military purposes during the war. In 1916, the Royal Flying Corps established a temporary airfield at the site. This was part of a wider pattern in which open land and sporting facilities were adapted to meet wartime requirements.

Following the end of the war, racing returned to Doncaster, restoring the connection between the St Leger and its traditional home on Town Moor.

1939–1945: The Second World War

The Second World War brought another period of disruption. The St Leger was cancelled in 1939 following the outbreak of war, making it the only British Classic to miss a year since its inaugural running in 1776. This interruption underlined the extent to which wartime conditions could affect even the most established sporting traditions.

As during the First World War, racing arrangements were affected by national priorities and the wider demands of the conflict. The racecourse’s history therefore reflects not only the development of sport but also the major events that shaped Britain during the twentieth century.

After the war, Doncaster resumed its role as a leading racing venue. The St Leger returned to its familiar place in the September calendar, helping restore a tradition that had been interrupted by extraordinary circumstances.

1970: Nijinsky completes the Triple Crown

In 1970, Nijinsky became the most recent horse to complete the British Triple Crown by winning the St Leger at Doncaster after victories in the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby.

Trained by Vincent O’Brien and ridden by Lester Piggott, Nijinsky was one of the outstanding thoroughbreds of the twentieth century. His victory at Doncaster secured a place in racing history and demonstrated his ability to combine speed with the stamina needed for the St Leger’s demanding distance.

The Triple Crown has remained one of the sport’s most difficult achievements. The three races place different demands on a horse, and the St Leger’s longer distance can be a particular challenge for Derby winners. Nijinsky’s success therefore continues to stand as a benchmark for exceptional Classic performance.

1992–2007: Modernisation and a changing racecourse

In 1992, Doncaster Racecourse made history by staging the first Sunday race meeting on a British racecourse. Around 23,000 people attended, despite betting not being available at the meeting. The event marked a significant change in British racing and demonstrated the public’s appetite for alternative race-day arrangements.

A major redevelopment programme followed between 1992 and 2007, involving investment of approximately £34 million. The project transformed the facilities and included the construction of the five-storey main grandstand, which opened in 2007. The new building provided improved viewing, hospitality and dining facilities and helped establish Doncaster as a modern venue for major sporting and social events.

Doncaster also expanded its programme of activities beyond racing. The racecourse developed its capacity for conferences, exhibitions, private events and hospitality, helping it serve a wider audience throughout the year.

2010 onwards: New traditions and continued success

In 2010, Doncaster introduced the Leger Legends Race, a charity event featuring retired jockeys. The race brought well-known names from the sport back into the saddle and added a distinctive feature to the St Leger Festival. It also provided a platform for fundraising and celebrated the contribution of jockeys to British racing.

The St Leger continued to produce memorable results in the twenty-first century. In 2012, Encke defeated the heavily fancied Camelot, who had arrived at Doncaster seeking to complete the Triple Crown. The result prevented Camelot from matching Nijinsky’s 1970 achievement and became one of the best-known St Leger upsets of the modern era.

In 2019, Stradivarius won the Doncaster Cup, adding the race to his victories in the major staying contests at Royal Ascot and Goodwood that season. His achievement underlined the importance of Doncaster’s staying races in the wider British flat racing programme.

2026: Celebrating 250 years of the St Leger

In 2026, Doncaster Racecourse celebrates the 250th anniversary of the St Leger, first run in 1776. The anniversary places the racecourse firmly in the spotlight and recognises the continuing importance of the event to Doncaster’s sporting identity.

The 2026 programme includes a season-long celebration of flat racing, with the St Leger Festival as its centrepiece. The racecourse also continues to host established fixtures such as the Lincoln Handicap, the Doncaster Cup, the William Hill Futurity Trophy meeting and National Hunt events during the winter.

Today, Doncaster Racecourse remains one of the most important venues in British horse racing. Its history encompasses early racing on Town Moor, the creation of the Doncaster Cup and St Leger, wartime disruption, famous champions and extensive modern redevelopment.

From the first St Leger in the eighteenth century to the contemporary festival, Doncaster Races has remained closely connected to the evolution of the sport. Visitors today can experience that heritage while enjoying modern grandstand facilities, hospitality and a varied programme of racing. The horses, fashions and facilities have changed, but the excitement of watching a race unfold at Doncaster remains as compelling as ever.