Doncaster Racecourse will lift the curtain on the historic St Leger Festival 2025 with a sparkling Preview Event on Wednesday, 10 September, setting the stage for four days of world-class racing. From 7:00 pm until late, racing fans, punters, and social-goers will gather for an evening of stories, insight, and entertainment on Town Moor. With the St Leger recognised as the world’s oldest Classic, the preview night will blend the festival’s rich tradition with modern racing excitement, creating the perfect launchpad for the action to follow.
An evening of insight and anticipation:
Gates will open at 7:00 pm, with guests welcomed into Doncaster’s grandstand hospitality areas as the atmosphere builds ahead of the main programme. At 7:30 pm, the stage will come alive for the Preview Panel, a brand-new addition to the St Leger week in 2025. Designed to give fans the “inside track” ahead of Britain’s fifth and final Classic, the panel will bring together some of the sport’s most respected voices for a lively hour of predictions, festival talking points, and names to watch.
The evening will continue in true Yorkshire style with a Pie & Pea Supper at 8:30 pm, giving racing fans the chance to share their thoughts and favourites with fellow fans. Those who have booked into the Leger Legends Preview Dinner will enjoy a three-course meal while the discussions continue. By 9:30 pm, the formal preview event will conclude, though the dinner will stretch until 11:00 pm, ensuring the buzz of anticipation carries well into the night.
A panel of racing’s finest voices:
The panel itself will be headlined by Dave Orton, the much-loved Racing presenter and former Racing Post Senior Analyst. Known for his sharp eye and approachable style, Orton will steer the evening with trademark energy, ensuring both seasoned punters and casual fans are kept engaged.
Former Champion Jockey Seb Sanders brings unparalleled experience to the table. Crowned British Flat Racing Champion at Doncaster in 2007 and with more than 2,000 winners in the saddle, Sanders will provide first-hand insight into what it takes to land a Classic on Town Moor. His move into broadcasting since retirement has sharpened his reputation as one of the sport’s most trusted voices.
Television favourite Natalie Green, recognised for her work with ITV Racing, will offer a lighter touch, bringing both professional perspective and accessibility. Known for making the sport welcoming to new fans, her role on the panel will help bridge the excitement of the St Leger to a wider audience.
Form specialist Tom Collins will add forensic detail. Featured on both ITV and Racing, Collins is respected for his meticulous approach to race analysis, and his views on festival “ones to watch” will be closely noted by punters.
Finally, Matt Hulmes, one of the most experienced odds compilers, will round out the group. His knowledge of market moves and betting patterns will provide valuable colour, giving fans a deeper understanding of how the action on the track meets the energy of the betting ring.
The perfect festival launch:
While the Preview Event itself will not feature live racing, it will capture the essence of what the St Leger Festival with the blend of tradition, theatre, and sporting excellence that makes Doncaster a focal point of the Flat season. For many, this evening will act as the starting gun, a chance to mark the card, share a toast, and set expectations before the roar of the crowd greets the first horses on Thursday afternoon.
With the Festival stretching across 11–14 September, including Group 1 action and the final Classic of the season, the Preview Evening is expected to draw strong attendance, blending the racing faithful with those simply seeking a unique night out. The Leger Legends Preview Dinner, in particular, will add an extra note of exclusivity, ensuring that racing’s big week in Yorkshire begins with the right measure of style and anticipation.
As the first voices are heard on 10 September, attention will quickly turn to the competitive racing ahead. Thursday’s opening card on 11 September will showcase Listed and Group races, with juvenile talent expected to take centre stage.
This new Preview Event ensures the Festival week now has a complete arc not just four days of racing, but five days of engagement, building excitement step by step until the Classic drama unfolds.
About Doncaster Racecourse:
Doncaster Racecourse is one of the oldest and most historic centres of horse racing in Britain, with records of organised meetings dating back to the 16th century. While the town corporation once attempted to halt racing in 1600 due to unruly crowds, by 1614 a dedicated racecourse was established, ensuring Doncaster’s place in the sport’s story. More history was made in 1992 when it staged Britain’s first-ever Sunday meeting, drawing 23,000 spectators despite no betting. Today, as part of the Arena Racing Company, Doncaster continues to thrive as a dual-purpose venue, hosting both Flat and National Hunt fixtures, with the St Leger Festival as its crown jewel.
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