The pinnacle day of the Betfred St Leger Festival has once again been a roaring success as racegoers flocked in numbers to Doncaster Racecourse to experience the electric atmosphere of the Betfred St Leger Stakes, this year’s best-attended Betfred British Classic.
With Premier tickets and Hospitality tickets completely sold out before the festival commenced, over 26,000 racegoers, an 11% uplift on attendance last year, flooded through the gates to witness the highlight of the four-day festival, the Group 1 Betfred St Leger Stakes, which attracts some of the leading trainers and jockeys from across the country.
Those in attendance were lucky enough to soak up the drama of the world’s oldest Classic which was first ran in Doncaster in 1776. Tom Marquand, riding Scandinavia, fended off all challengers to record a third consecutive career win and wrote themselves into the history books after a race that had punters on the edge of their seats from start to finish. This was also the 9th win in the oldest Classic of the British flat racing season for trainer, Aidan O’Brien. O’Brien was also off to a flyer in the afternoon, winning the Betfred Champagne Stakes (G2) with Puerto Rico, ridden by last year’s St Leger Stakes champion, Sean Levey.
Jim Goldie enjoyed a third winner of the Betfred Portland Handicap with Eternal Sunshine, ridden by Lauren Young. Goldie won the race last year too, and was delighted to record a third consecutive career success. The Betfred Park Stakes (G2) was won by Marvelman for Andrew Balding with ease, clearing King’s Gamble by just under four lengths.
The festival was also thrilled to welcome Capital Breakfast host DJ Chris Stark who turned up the party vibes this year, spinning a live DJ set after the races in the County enclosure – rebranded as the Party Enclosure for 2025.
Overall attendance for the first 3 days of the festival have seen a staggering 48,469 racegoers flocking to Doncaster Racecourse, a 12% increase on last year’s attendance figures for the first three days. The festival comes to an end tomorrow with the Betfred Sunday Funday. Taking place will be the Leger Legends charity race with some of the sport’s favourite jockeys rolling back the years and battling it out on the track to raise funds for the Injured Jockeys Fund. Away from the course there will also be lots of fun activities with something for the whole family.
Rachel Harwood, Executive Director of Doncaster Racecourse, said: “Betfred St Leger Day is a prime example of why the Betfred St Leger Stakes is one of the most highly regarded horseracing events in the country. It always produces showstopping entertainment for those lucky enough to be in attendance.
“This year has been a great success, and we cannot wait to round off a brilliant weekend with the Sunday Funday, which will close the festival in the best possible way!”
The historic countdown to the 250th anniversary of the first running of the St Leger Stakes in 2026 now begins. As one of the most prestigious races in global flat racing, this milestone promises to be a landmark celebration of sporting heritage, tradition, and excellence.
To book your place at the final day of the Betfred St Leger Festival 2025 and join in the festivities of Sunday Funday, visit: https://www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk/.
ENDS
For more information, please contact the Betfred St Leger Festival PR team at Hatch: stlegerfestival@hatch.group / 0113 361 3600
About the Betfred St Leger Festival
The Betfred St Leger Festival is one of the highlights of the flat racing season. Thousands attend to watch history in the making across four thrilling days of action and excitement. The penultimate day of the festival sees the Group 1 Betfred St Leger Stakes, the world’s oldest Classic, which has been won by legendary horses through the decades and sees jubilant crowds watch on to glimpse a little piece of horse racing history each year.
The Betfred St Leger Festival at Doncaster Racecourse, which takes place from 11th – 14th September, is one of the most prestigious race weeks of the British horse racing calendar and an experience not to be missed!
Doncaster Racecourse is part of Arena Racing Company (“ARC”), the largest racecourse operator in the UK. Further information about ARC can be found at www.arenaracingcompany.co.uk.
