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Coordinates: 53°31′13″N 1°5′48″W / 53.52028°N 1.09667°W / 53.52028; -1.09667
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{{Short description|Racecourse in South Yorkshire, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox Racecourse
{{Infobox Racecourse
| Name = Doncaster
| Name = Doncaster
| Image = [[Image:Doncaster racecourse logo.jpg]]
| Image = Doncaster racecourse logo.jpg
| Website = http://www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk
| Website = http://www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk
| Location = [[Doncaster]], [[South Yorkshire]]
| Location = [[Doncaster]], South Yorkshire
| Owner = [[Arena Leisure Plc]]
| Owner = [[Arena Leisure Plc]]
| Channel = [[Sky Sports Racing]]
| Channel = [[Sky Sports Racing]]
Line 11: Line 14:
| Next = [[Epsom Downs Racecourse|Epsom Downs]]
| Next = [[Epsom Downs Racecourse|Epsom Downs]]
}}
}}
[[File:Doncaster Racecourse00.jpg|thumb|<center>1851 engraving</center>]]
[[File:Doncaster Racecourse00.jpg|thumb|{{center|1851 engraving}}]]
[[File:Doncaster Racecourse 1.jpg|thumb|Doncaster Racecourse Grandstand]]
[[File:Doncaster Racecourse 1.jpg|thumb|Doncaster Racecourse Grandstand]]
[[File:Doncaster Racecourse 2.jpg|thumb|Doncaster Racecourse]]
[[File:Doncaster Racecourse 2.jpg|thumb|Doncaster Racecourse]]
'''Doncaster Racecourse''' (also known as the '''Town Moor course''') is a [[racecourse]] in [[Doncaster]], [[South Yorkshire]], [[England]]. It hosts two of Great Britain's [[List of British flat horse races#Group 1|36]] annual [[Group One|Group 1]] flat races, the [[St Leger Stakes]] and the [[Racing Post Trophy]].
'''Doncaster Racecourse''' (also known as the '''Town Moor course''') is a [[racecourse]] in [[Doncaster]], South Yorkshire, England. It hosts two of Great Britain's [[List of British flat horse races#Group 1|36]] annual [[Group One|Group 1]] flat races, the [[St Leger Stakes]] and the [[Racing Post Trophy]].


== History ==
== History ==
Doncaster is one of the oldest (and in terms of physical capacity – largest) established centres for horse racing in Britain, with records of regular race meetings going back to the 16th&nbsp;century. A map of 1595 already shows a racecourse at Town Moor.{{sfn|Barrett|1995|p=8}} In 1600 the corporation tried to put an end to the races because of the number of ruffians they attracted, but by 1614 it acknowledged failure and instead marked out a racecourse.
Doncaster is one of the oldest (and the largest in physical capacity) established centres for horse racing in Britain, with records of regular race meetings going back to the 16th&nbsp;century. A map of 1595 already shows a racecourse at Town Moor.{{sfn|Barrett|1995|p=8}} In 1600 the corporation tried to put an end to the races because of the number of ruffians they attracted, but by 1614 it acknowledged failure and instead marked out a racecourse.


Doncaster is home to two of the World's oldest horse races: –
Doncaster is home to two of the World's oldest horse races:


'''The Doncaster Cup'''
===The Doncaster Cup===
{{Main|Doncaster Cup}}
{{Main|Doncaster Cup}}


The earliest important race in Doncaster's history was the Doncaster Gold Cup, first run over Cantley Common in 1766. The [[Doncaster Cup]] is the oldest continuing regulated horse race in the world. Together with the {{convert|2|mi|m}} [[Goodwood Cup]] and {{convert|2+1/2|mi|m}} [[Ascot Gold Cup]], the [[Doncaster Cup]] is part of Britain's Stayers' Triple Crown for horses capable of running longer distances.
The earliest important race in Doncaster's history was the Doncaster Gold Cup, first run over Cantley Common in 1766. The [[Doncaster Cup]] is the oldest continuing regulated horse race in the world. Together with the {{convert|2|mi|m}} [[Goodwood Cup]] and {{convert|2+1/2|mi|m}} [[Ascot Gold Cup]], the [[Doncaster Cup]] is part of Britain's Stayers' Triple Crown for horses capable of running longer distances.


'''The St Leger Stakes'''
===The St. Leger Stakes===
{{Main|St. Leger Stakes}}
{{Main|St. Leger Stakes}}


Ten years later the Racecourse moved to 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.
Ten years later the racecourse moved to its present location, and in 1776 Colonel Anthony St. Leger founded [[St. Leger Stakes|a race]] in which five horses ran. This race has remained in existence and has 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 (bookmaker)|William Hill]] St. Leger Festival, which is acclaimed as the premier sporting occasion of the Autumn calendar. Doncaster has also taken over events whose traditional homes have closed, such as the Lincoln Cup in 1965. More history was made at Doncaster in 1992 when it staged the first ever Sunday meeting on a British racecourse. A crowd of 23,000 turned up despite the absence of betting.
Doncaster has the distinction of both starting and ending the flat season on turf. Every September, Doncaster hosts the prestigious four-day [[William Hill (bookmaker)|William Hill]] St. Leger Festival, which is acclaimed as the premier sporting occasion of the autumn calendar. Doncaster has also taken over events whose traditional homes have closed, such as the Lincoln Handicap in 1965. More history was made at Doncaster in 1992 when it staged the first ever Sunday meeting on a British racecourse. A crowd of 23,000 turned up despite the absence of betting.


The racecourse is used for other functions. It regularly hosts conventions such as the Tattoo Festival and business meetings such as Doncaster Dynamites BNI every Wednesday. The current membership committee of that BNI chapter comprises local Doncaster business people Michael Reeder, Ailsa Watson, James Criddle, Mark Appleyard, Jason Cole, Ian Smith and Andrew Isaacs.
The racecourse is used for other functions. It regularly hosts conventions such as the Tattoo Festival and business meetings such as Doncaster Dynamites BNI{{clarify|date=September 2020}} every Wednesday. The current{{when|date=September 2020}} membership committee of that BNI chapter comprises local Doncaster business people Michael Reeder, Ailsa Watson, James Criddle, Mark Appleyard, Jason Cole, Ian Smith and Andrew Isaacs.


Today the [[St. Leger Stakes]] remains the world's oldest Classic Horse Race and features in the Horse Racing calendar as the fifth and final Classic of the [[List of British flat horse races#Group 1|British Flat racing season]]. This takes place every September.
Today the St. Leger Stakes remains the world's oldest classic horse race, and features in the horse racing calendar as the fifth and final Classic of the [[List of British flat horse races#Group 1|British Flat racing season]]. It is run every September.


==Specifications==
==Specifications==


Doncaster is a left-handed, pear-shaped track of around 1 mile 7½ [[furlong]]s which is mostly flat. There are courses for [[Flat racing]] and [[National Hunt racing]]. The racecourse is easily accessible by road, railway and air.
Doncaster is a left-handed, pear-shaped track of around 1 mile 7½ [[furlong]]s (3.1&nbsp;km) which is mostly flat. There are courses for [[Flat racing]] and [[National Hunt racing]]. The racecourse is easily accessible by road, railway and air.


==Notable races==
==Notable races==
{| class = "wikitable sortable"
{| class = "sortable" | border="1" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:90%"
|- bgcolor="#77dd77" align="center"
|- bgcolor="#77dd77" align="center"
! style="width:70px" |Month
! style="width:70px" |Month
! style="width:80px" |DOW
! style="width:80px" |Day of<br>week
! Race Name
! Race name
! style="width:60px" |Type
! style="width:60px" |Type
! style="width:70px" | '''Grade'''
! style="width:70px" |Grade
! style="width:80px" |Distance
! style="width:80px" |Distance
! style="width:50px" |Age/Sex
! style="width:50px" |Age/Sex
Line 57: Line 60:
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Handicap
| style="text-align:center" | Handicap
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|4828|3m }}
| style="text-align:center" |{{hrd|3}}
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|2|January}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|2|January}}
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| [[Doncaster Mares' Hurdle]]
| [[Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle]]
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|3319|2m 110y}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{hrd|2||110}}
| style="text-align:center" |4yo + m
| style="text-align:center" |4yo + m
|-
|-
Line 73: Line 76:
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|4929|3m 110y}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{hrd|3||110}}
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|4|January}}
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| [[Lightning Novices' Chase]]
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|3319|2m 110y}}
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|5|March}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|5|March}}
Line 89: Line 84:
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Handicap
| style="text-align:center" | Handicap
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|5230|3m 2f }}
| style="text-align:center" |{{hrd|3|2}}
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
|-
|-
Line 133: Line 128:
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|11|September}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|11|September}}
| style="text-align:center" |Wednesday
| [[Scarbrough Stakes]]
| style="text-align:center" |Flat
| style="text-align:center" | Conditions
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|1006|5f }}
| style="text-align:center" |2yo+
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|12|September}}
| style="text-align:center" |Thursday
| style="text-align:center" |Thursday
| [[Sceptre Stakes]]
| [[Sceptre Stakes]]
Line 148: Line 135:
| style="text-align:center" |3yo + f
| style="text-align:center" |3yo + f
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|13|September}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|12|September}}
| style="text-align:center" |Thursday
| style="text-align:center" |Thursday
| [[Park Hill Stakes]]
| [[Park Hill Stakes]]
| style="text-align:center" |Flat
| style="text-align:center" |Flat
| style="text-align:center" | Group 2
| style="text-align:center" | Group 2
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|2937|1m 6f 132y}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|2937|1m 6f 115y}}
| style="text-align:center" |3yo + f
| style="text-align:center" |3yo + f
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|14|September}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|13|September}}
| style="text-align:center" |Friday
| style="text-align:center" |Friday
| [[Flying Childers Stakes]]
| [[Flying Childers Stakes]]
Line 164: Line 151:
| style="text-align:center" |2yo only
| style="text-align:center" |2yo only
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|15|September}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|14|September}}
| style="text-align:center" |Friday
| style="text-align:center" |Friday
| [[Doncaster Cup]]
| [[Doncaster Cup]]
Line 172: Line 159:
| style="text-align:center" |3yo +
| style="text-align:center" |3yo +
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|16|September}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|15|September}}
| style="text-align:center" |Friday
| style="text-align:center" |Friday
| [[May Hill Stakes]]
| [[May Hill Stakes]]
Line 180: Line 167:
| style="text-align:center" |2yo only f
| style="text-align:center" |2yo only f
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|17|September}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|16|September}}
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| [[St. Leger Stakes]]
| [[St. Leger Stakes]]
| style="text-align:center" |Flat
| style="text-align:center" |Flat
| style="text-align:center" | Group 1
| style="text-align:center" | Group 1
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|2937|1m 6f 132y}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|2937|1m 6f 115y}}
| style="text-align:center" |3yo only
| style="text-align:center" |3yo only
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|18|September}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|17|September}}
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| [[Champagne Stakes (Great Britain)|Champagne Stakes]]
| [[Champagne Stakes (Great Britain)|Champagne Stakes]]
Line 196: Line 183:
| style="text-align:center" |2yo only
| style="text-align:center" |2yo only
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|19|September}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|18|September}}
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| [[Portland Handicap]]
| [[Portland Handicap]]
Line 204: Line 191:
| style="text-align:center" |3yo +
| style="text-align:center" |3yo +
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|20|September}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|19|September}}
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| [[Park Stakes]]
| [[Park Stakes]]
Line 212: Line 199:
| style="text-align:center" |3yo +
| style="text-align:center" |3yo +
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|21|October}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|20|October}}
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| [[Vertem Futurity Trophy]]
| [[Vertem Futurity Trophy|Futurity Trophy]]
| style="text-align:center" |Flat
| style="text-align:center" |Flat
| style="text-align:center" | Group 1
| style="text-align:center" | Group 1
Line 220: Line 207:
| style="text-align:center" |2yo only
| style="text-align:center" |2yo only
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|22|November}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|21|November}}
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| [[November Handicap]]
| [[November Handicap]]
Line 228: Line 215:
| style="text-align:center" |3yo +
| style="text-align:center" |3yo +
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|23|December}}
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| [[Summit Juvenile Hurdle]]
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|3319|2m 110y}}
| style="text-align:center" |3yo only
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|24|December}}
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| [[December Novices' Chase]]
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|4828|3m }}
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
|}
|}



;Other races
;Other races
* [[2-Y-O Stakes]]
* [[Doncaster Stakes]]
* [[Doncaster Stakes]]
* [[Gillies Fillies' Stakes]]
* [[Gillies Fillies' Stakes]]
* [[Wentworth Stakes]]
* [[Wentworth Stakes]]

* [[William Hill Handicap Chase]]
==See also==
*[[Listed buildings in Doncaster (Wheatley Hills and Intake Ward)]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{Refimprove|date=October 2008}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2008}}
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |title=The Daily Telegraph Chronicle of Horse Racing |editor-last=Barrett |editor-first=Norman |location=Enfield, Middlesex |publisher=Guinness Publishing |year=1995 |accessdate=2017-10-17 }}
*{{cite book |title=The Daily Telegraph Chronicle of Horse Racing |editor-last=Barrett |editor-first=Norman |location=Enfield, Middlesex |publisher=Guinness Publishing |year=1995 }}


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Doncaster Racecourse}}
* {{Official website|http://www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk}}
* {{Official website|http://www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk}}
* [https://ggtv.co.uk/uk/mixed/doncaster/ Racecourse Guide a GGTV.co.uk]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051213234125/http://www.gg.com/doncaster Course guide on GG.COM]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051213234125/http://www.gg.com/doncaster Course guide on GG.COM]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927010646/http://www.attheraces.com/course.asp?CID=83 Course guide on At The Races]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927010646/http://www.attheraces.com/course.asp?CID=83 Course guide on At The Races]
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{{coord|53|31|13|N|1|5|48|W|type:landmark_scale:10000_region:GB|display=title}}
{{coord|53|31|13|N|1|5|48|W|type:landmark_scale:10000_region:GB|display=title}}
{{Horse racing in Great Britain}}
{{Horse racing in Great Britain}}
{{Racecourses in Yorkshire}}


⚫
[[Category:Sports venues in Doncaster]]
[[Category:Doncaster Racecourse| ]]
[[Category:Doncaster Racecourse| ]]
⚫
[[Category:Sports venues in Doncaster]]
[[Category:Horse racing venues in England]]

Latest revision as of 15:20, 30 June 2024

Doncaster
LocationDoncaster, South Yorkshire
Owned byArena Leisure Plc
Screened onSky Sports Racing
Course typeFlat
National Hunt, Left-handed
Notable racesDoncaster Cup
St. Leger Stakes
Lincoln Handicap
Official website
1851 engraving
Doncaster Racecourse Grandstand
Doncaster Racecourse

Doncaster Racecourse (also known as the Town Moor course) is a racecourse in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. It hosts two of Great Britain's 36 annual Group 1 flat races, the St Leger Stakes and the Racing Post Trophy.

History

[edit]

Doncaster is one of the oldest (and the largest in physical capacity) established centres for horse racing in Britain, with records of regular race meetings going back to the 16th century. A map of 1595 already shows a racecourse at Town Moor.[1] In 1600 the corporation tried to put an end to the races because of the number of ruffians they attracted, but by 1614 it acknowledged failure and instead marked out a racecourse.

Doncaster is home to two of the World's oldest horse races:

The Doncaster Cup

[edit]
Main article: Doncaster Cup

The earliest important race in Doncaster's history was the Doncaster Gold Cup, first run over Cantley Common in 1766. The Doncaster Cup is the oldest continuing regulated horse race in the world. Together with the 2 miles (3,200 m) Goodwood Cup and 2+1⁄2 miles (4,000 m) Ascot Gold Cup, the Doncaster Cup is part of Britain's Stayers' Triple Crown for horses capable of running longer distances.

The St. Leger Stakes

[edit]
Main article: St. Leger Stakes

Ten years later the racecourse moved to 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 has 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 traditional homes have closed, such as the Lincoln Handicap in 1965. More history was made at Doncaster in 1992 when it staged the first ever Sunday meeting on a British racecourse. A crowd of 23,000 turned up despite the absence of betting.

The racecourse is used for other functions. It regularly hosts conventions such as the Tattoo Festival and business meetings such as Doncaster Dynamites BNI[clarification needed] every Wednesday. The current[when?] membership committee of that BNI chapter comprises local Doncaster business people Michael Reeder, Ailsa Watson, James Criddle, Mark Appleyard, Jason Cole, Ian Smith and Andrew Isaacs.

Today the St. Leger Stakes remains the world's oldest classic horse race, and features in the horse racing calendar as the fifth and final Classic of the British Flat racing season. It is run every September.

Specifications

[edit]

Doncaster is a left-handed, pear-shaped track of around 1 mile 7½ furlongs (3.1 km) which is mostly flat. There are courses for Flat racing and National Hunt racing. The racecourse is easily accessible by road, railway and air.

Notable races

[edit]
Month Day of
week 		Race name Type Grade Distance Age/Sex
January Saturday Great Yorkshire Chase Chase Handicap 3m 5yo +
January Saturday Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle Hurdle Grade 2 2m 110y 4yo + m
January Saturday River Don Novices' Hurdle Hurdle Grade 2 3m 110y 4yo +
March Saturday Grimthorpe Handicap Chase Chase Handicap 3m 2f 5yo +
March Saturday Brocklesby Stakes Flat Conditions 5f 2yo only
March Saturday Cammidge Trophy Flat Listed 6f 3yo+
March Saturday Doncaster Mile Stakes Flat Listed 1m 4yo +
March Saturday Lincoln Handicap Flat Handicap 1m 4yo +
September Friday Flying Scotsman Stakes Flat Conditions 7f 2yo only
September Thursday Sceptre Stakes Flat Group 3 7f 3yo + f
September Thursday Park Hill Stakes Flat Group 2 1m 6f 115y 3yo + f
September Friday Flying Childers Stakes Flat Group 2 5f 2yo only
September Friday Doncaster Cup Flat Group 2 2m 2f 3yo +
September Friday May Hill Stakes Flat Group 2 1m 2yo only f
September Saturday St. Leger Stakes Flat Group 1 1m 6f 115y 3yo only
September Saturday Champagne Stakes Flat Group 2 7f 2yo only
September Saturday Portland Handicap Flat Handicap 5f 140y 3yo +
September Saturday Park Stakes Flat Group 2 7f 3yo +
October Saturday Futurity Trophy Flat Group 1 1m 2yo only
November Saturday November Handicap Flat Handicap 1m 4f 3yo +
Other races

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Barrett 1995, p. 8.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Barrett, Norman, ed. (1995). The Daily Telegraph Chronicle of Horse Racing. Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Publishing.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Doncaster Racecourse.

53°31′13″N 1°5′48″W / 53.52028°N 1.09667°W / 53.52028; -1.09667

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Doncaster_Racecourse&oldid=1231842972"