Parliament celebrates 250 years of the St Leger

The Betting and Gaming Council joined MPs, racing leaders and industry representatives in Parliament to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Betfred St Leger, the world’s oldest Classic horse race.

The parliamentary reception, sponsored by Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme MP Lee Pitcher, was hosted by the Betting and Gaming Council, Arena Racing Company, Betfred and Doncaster Racecourse.

First run at Cantley Common in 1776, the St Leger predates the Derby by four years and is today the world’s oldest Classic, the North’s only Classic and the final leg of the British Triple Crown.

The landmark 250th running will take place at Doncaster Racecourse on Saturday, 12 September, with more than 30,000 racegoers expected to attend on St Leger Saturday alone.

The Parliamentary event celebrated the Betfred St Leger’s extraordinary contribution to Doncaster, Yorkshire and British sporting heritage, as well as the close relationship between horseracing and the regulated betting industry.

Lee Pitcher MP, Member of Parliament for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, said:
“The St Leger is not simply a famous race that takes place in Doncaster, it is part of the fabric of our city.

“For generations, the Festival has brought people together, supported local businesses and showcased Doncaster to visitors from across the country.

“I was proud to sponsor this celebration in Parliament and to mark 250 years of an event that means so much to the people I represent. The St Leger is known around the world, but its home is Doncaster, and that is something our city can be enormously proud of.”

Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said:

“Few sporting events can boast a history stretching back 250 years, and the St Leger is a wonderful example of the heritage, tradition and enduring popularity of British horseracing.

“It was fantastic to bring Parliament, racing and betting together to celebrate this remarkable anniversary and the huge contribution the St Leger continues to make to Doncaster, Yorkshire and British sport.

“Racing and betting have a long-standing and symbiotic partnership. BGC members contribute more than £350 million to British horseracing every year, supporting thousands of jobs and livelihoods across the sport while giving millions of people another way to enjoy racing.

“The St Leger has demonstrated extraordinary staying power over the past 250 years. As we celebrate that legacy, we must also ensure the conditions are there for British racing and the regulated betting industry which supports it to thrive for generations to come.”

Martin Cruddace, Chief Executive of Arena Racing Company, said:

"We were delighted to join Parliamentarians, as well as colleagues from across racing and betting, to mark 250 years of the St Leger last night.

"The race itself, and the sport more widely, share a close history with the city of Doncaster, of which we are hugely proud. Excitement is building ahead of this year's Festival, and we are looking forward to another fantastic four days of racing.

"Likewise, we were proud to recognise the historic and ongoing relationship between the racing and betting industries in this county, and the interdependent nature of our two sectors."