St Leger festival: the must-have guide to four top days of racing at Doncaster

The St Leger festival is a four-day meeting where a number of the best horses in Britain and Ireland compete in top-level races. There are 28 contests over the course of the meeting, which begins on Wednesday, September 9, with the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes (1.10).

All of the quality action will be aired on Sky Sports Racing, while ITV3 will show five free-to-air races from the track for the first three days.

The final day on Saturday, September 12, which features the St Leger itself, will have four races broadcast live on ITV.

You can also stream and bet on races at the festival on the Racing Post website and mobile app.

Why is the St Leger festival so special?

The St Leger festival is one of the highlights of the Flat season and last year more than 54,000 visitors were welcomed at Doncaster.

The festival takes its name from the St Leger, which was devised by former army officer and policeman Anthony St Leger. The race was first run in 1776 and it is the oldest of the five British Classics.

Logician: won the St Leger last year for John Gosden and Frankie DettoriCredit: John Grossick

All the top trainers and jockeys compete at the festival and last year the St Leger was won by Logician, who maintained his unbeaten record for his trainer John Gosden under jockey Frankie Dettori.

What is the feature race?

The Pertemps St Leger Stakes (3.35) is the final Classic of the British Flat season and the longest in distance. It is open to three-year-old colts and fillies and is staged over a mile and six furlongs.

The St Leger has been won by some legendary horses through the decades, including Triple Crown winner Nijinsky, whose jockey Lester Piggott won the race eight times between 1960 and 1984.

Nijinsky: won the 1970 St Leger and was the last horse to win the British Triple Crown

There are a number of leading contenders for this year's race, such as Pyledriver, who won the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York in August, and Santiago, winner of the Group 1 Irish Derby.

What are the other highlights?

On the Wednesday, the highlight is the Group 3 bet365 Sceptre Fillies' Stakes (3.15), won last year by Breathtaking Look. It is supplemented by the Listed bet365 Scarbrough Stakes (2.10).

There are a pair of Group 2s to look forward to on Thursday, which are the bet365 May Hill Stakes (2.10) and the bet365 Park Hill Fillies' Stakes (3.15).

On Friday, the feature race is the Group 2 bet365 Doncaster Cup (3.15), won last year by the indomitable Stradivarius. It is preceded by the Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes (2.40).

Stradivarius: won the Doncaster Cup last yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

The first of the two Group 2s on the final day is the Champagne Stakes (1.50) for two-year-olds, which is followed by the Park Stakes (3.00). ITV viewers will also have the competitive Portland Handicap (2.25) to enjoy.

Who should I bet on at the St Leger festival?

That's the question everyone wants answered! Have a look at the cards and check out our free bet offers to start with, then stay tuned to the Racing Post website, mobile app and newspaper for our expert betting advice and all the latest news in the run-up to Saturday's big race.

Want to know more about the St Leger meeting? Try these:

St Leger strike? Dettori in line to ride for O'Brien in Doncaster Classic

Two potential St Leger contenders feature in this week's must-watch replays

Q&A: everything you need to know about attending this year's St Leger festival

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