Doncaster is the oldest and in terms of physic capacity, the largest horse racing centre in Britain. Records of regular horse race meetings date back to 16th century, while in 1600 the corporation tried to put an end to the races, but in 14 years they acknowledged their failure and marked down a racecourse instead.

Active stagecoach trading took place in Doncaster since the 16th century leading to fine horse breeding traditions. This created an opportunity to have horse races due to the widespread horse breeding and training traditions. The first and actually even nowadays the most important race was Doncaster Gold Cup established in 1766. This, in fact, is the world’s oldest continuous regulated horse race. Ten years later the racecourse moved from the initial place to its present location and from there on, world’s oldest classic horse race St Leger Stakes, named after Colonel Anthony St Leger, takes place. In this race 5 horses compete and it’s the fifth and final Classic of the British Flat racing season still remaining the world’s oldest classic horse race.

In 1992, the historical first ever Sunday meeting of British racecourse took place. Despite no betting was allowed, still remarkable 23,000 people showed up.

Doncaster is a left-handed, pear-shaped track of around 1 mile 7½ furlongs which is mostly flat. There are courses for Flat racing and National Hunt racing. The centre was reopened in 2007 after significant renovation with new stables, grandstand, exhibition centre and bloodstock. Being opened for the trial of St Leger Stakes, it was opened with a celebration just two days before the actual race opened by Princess Royal presented with a box of Parkinson’s Butterscotch, a traditional Doncaster sweet.

To feel the excitement and sight the speed and muscular power of racing horses, a rental car might become handy. For this Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, Alamo, National & Thrifty Car Rental are among the most popular ones in Doncaster.

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