St Leger Festival 2026: Race Times, ITV Coverage and Doncaster Dress Code
The St Leger Festival runs at Doncaster from Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 September, celebrating 250 years since the first running of Britain’s oldest Classic. Saturday is the centrepiece, but choosing the right day and enclosure matters just as much for your visit. Our horse racing betting guide covers UK betting options; below are the published meeting times, dress rules and travel details to check before leaving home.
St Leger Festival race times: all four days
Doncaster has published the following daily schedule. All times are BST and remain subject to raceday changes.
| Date | Day | Gates | First race | Last race |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 10 September | Ladies Day | 11:15 | 13:15 | 17:20 |
| Fri 11 September | Gents Day / Doncaster Cup | 11:15 | 13:15 | 17:20 |
| Sat 12 September | St Leger Day | 10:30 | 13:10 | 17:23 |
| Sun 13 September | Sunday Funday | 11:25 | 13:25 | 16:50 |
There are eight races on each of the first three days and seven on Sunday. Leger Legends moves to Friday in 2026. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
What time is the St Leger, and is it on ITV?
The current racecard lists Saturday’s St Leger at 15:35, with ITV coverage indicated. Earlier previews give 15:40, so use the current card and check again on raceday. Exact ITV programme windows and the ITV1/ITV4 allocation still need confirmation. St Leger racecard.
The meeting’s Sky Sports Racing/At The Races hub provides racecards and coverage information. Do not assume ITV’s selected-race programme covers all 31 races. Festival hub.
Doncaster dress code: what should you wear?
Your enclosure determines the rules. Premier and Home Straight require a jacket for men; the tie is optional.
| Area | Dress requirements |
|---|---|
| Premier / Home Straight | Jacket for men; smart attire; no jeans or sportswear; children should dress smartly |
| County / hospitality | Smart jeans and collared shirts are acceptable; no sportswear or offensive fancy dress |
| Grandstand | Relaxed; no sporting team shirts or offensive fancy dress |
| Family | No dress code |
These distinctions come directly from Doncaster’s dress policy. A Grandstand ticket does not require the same outfit as Premier hospitality.
Doncaster in September is polished shoes beside churned turf, a racecard folded into a jacket pocket and a sudden hush as the runners turn for home. The anniversary adds ceremony; the horses still have to do the hard part.
Tickets, enclosures and getting to Doncaster
Saturday’s page lists County and Premier as sold out. It displays Grandstand Advance at £50 and Picnic Advance at £20.26, subject to live availability. Grandstand includes parade-ring access; Picnic covers the family lawn and its facilities. Check the selected ticket’s entertainment access before paying. Saturday tickets.
Doncaster station is approximately two miles away. Shuttles operate for most major racedays, but confirm festival departures. Drivers should use DN2 6BB and book parking where required: the normal free Car Park C arrangement excludes the festival. Travel information.
St Leger odds: the Classic at the heart of the festival
Saturday’s Classic gives the four-day guide a focused betting market. These published 7 September prices are reference odds; final declarations and each-way terms still matter.
Checked 8 September against the published market report. Live availability at the preferred bookmakers is unconfirmed.
