Doncaster is one of the oldest established centres for horse racing in Britain, with records of regular race meetings going back to the 16th century. 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.
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 there being no betting. Doncaster Racecourse has thrived ever since and is now owned by Arena Racing Company, the largest racecourse operator in the UK.
Recently seeing a £34 million redevelopment, the racecourse is a world-class venue for racegoers to enjoy during race days. At the heart of this new development is an impressive five-storey grandstand. The main stand includes stunning new private hospitality suites, a wide range of places to eat and drink, plus luxury dining experiences.
Doncaster has the distinction of both starting and ending the flat season on turf. Every September, Doncaster hosts the prestigious four-day 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 in 1965.
