Ladbrokes St Leger Festival at York: Tell me more…

York Racecourse is delighted to be hosting the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival during the redevelopment of Doncaster Racecourse. Featuring the world's oldest classic, the Ladbrokes St Leger, and a host of other top quality races this looks set to be a feast of racing over the two day festival, Friday 8th and Saturday 9th September.

Why is the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival coming to York Racecourse and has this ever happened before?

Doncaster Racecourse is undergoing a multi-million pound redevelopment and is closed while work proceeds towards a re-opening in summer 2007.
York Racecourse tendered for and won the right to stage the final classic of the season, thus keeping the flagship event in the county of Yorkshire. Given its historic nature, we hope it will be considered as a "must attend" event in this part of the world.

In 1945 as part of the post war celebrations, York hosted the St Leger. Some 150,000 racegoers attended and the race was won by Chamossaire, we have named the final race of this year's festival in his honour.

What are the dates and details?

A two-day Festival on Friday September 8th (St Leger Ladies Day) and Saturday September 9th.

York Racecourse will run the event and ticket sales are from the York Racecourse box office:

01904 620911 www.yorkracecourse.co.uk

County Stand badges: Friday £30 Saturday £35
Grandstand & Paddock Friday £15 Saturday £20
Course Enclosure Friday £5 Saturday £7

Please ask for details on group discounts and concessions.

What is the race programme?

It's a feast of racing with the famous races from the four day meeting at Doncaster crammed in to the two days at York. There is £1.2m in prize money on offer.

Over the two days, as well as the Group One Ladbrokes St Leger, there are six Group Two contests, a Group Three as well as a collection of Listed races and Heritage handicaps, so both days promise much entertainment.

The feature of Friday will be the GNER Doncaster Cup flanked by the Park Hill Stakes and Persimmon Homes Flying Childers in a seven race card.

On Saturday, the GNER Park Stakes, the Sportsman Racing Champagne Stakes, the Ladbrokes Portland and the Grahame Stowe Bateson Strensall Stakes join the Ladbrokes St Leger itself.

We will create two brand new starts – the 5 ½ furlong for the Ladbrokes Portland and the GNER Doncaster Cup over two and a quarter miles will start at the three furlong pole.

What does it mean for traditional York racedays?
Thirteen of our fifteen racedays, including the Ebor Festival and the John Smith's meeting will be run entirely as usual.

There is to be a transfer for York's traditional Wednesday and Sunday September meeting usually held the weeks preceding the St Leger.

The York Press Family Sunday was run on Sunday June 18th.
We also were able to transfer another Doncaster date and so create another new raceday, our first ever music showcase evening on Thursday 27th July.

My racing diary shows you are racing on August 30th and September 3rd, and it still shows Doncaster Racecourse as hosting the St Leger, is that correct?

No, unfortunately many racing and sporting diaries were printed before the transfer of the St Leger was confirmed so they do not reflect the correct information.

How will it all work?
This will be a York Meeting so the same management and personnel as for our other racedays will operate the course. We have worked with the management of Doncaster on the transfer of the event and hope that we will maintain the proud traditions of the occasion. Your contact for any enquiry about booking or for information should be York on 01904 620911, www.yorkracecourse.co.uk.

Where can I book a box, restaurant, tickets etc?

These are all on sale now and selling fast.
If you want to book a badge or ticket today then please visit the racecourse office or 01904 620911 or visit www.yorkracourse.co.uk
The boxes and private facilities are proving popular, please pick up a brochure from the Racecourse office, or call Nick Johnson on 01904 638933, he would be happy to discuss the options.
To book the Ebor or Voltigeur Restaurants please collect a brochure from the Racecourse office or call 01904 638971.

Will there still be a Ladies Day?
Yes, Friday September 8th is St Leger Ladies Day. As part of the fun of the day the winner of the Marriott Hotel Best Dressed Lady Racegoer Competition will win a fantastic trip for two to Dubai.

What are the plans for York Annual Badgeholders?

The Ladbrokes St Leger Festival is a normal York meeting and so York Annual Badgeholders will be able to use their badges and the Nunthorpe Suite in the usual manner.

Where is the best place to find information as it becomes available?
York will post information as it becomes available on the website: www.yorkracecourse.co.uk or call 01904 620911