Outfit planning, royalty and 45,000 glasses of prosecco - Doncaster prepares for race week

Doncaster, the birthplace of the St Leger Stakes, prepares for race week with grandeur and extravagance. Since 1776, the racecourse has been a highlight of the summer social season, drawing crowds of up to 200,000 in its golden age when railways first transported avid spectators. Today, race week remains a festival of fashion and festivity, where women meticulously plan their outfits for Ladies Day and eagerly await the 45,000 glasses of prosecco and champagne that staff serve to eager punters.

Historian Tony Barber recounts that the St Leger's golden era emerged when railways enabled mass attendance in the 1880s. With 173 special trains running in 1892, including one from London, the racecourse became a hub of excitement. Landmarks like The Salutation coaching inn, established in 1779, and the Grand St Leger building, now vacant, provided essential services to racegoers.

Executive director Rachel Harwood oversees race day logistics, coordinating with emergency services, the council, and racing industry representatives. Her counterpart, Libby Scruton, has served thousands of beverages over her 50-year career at the racecourse, accommodating the whims of royalty and celebrities alike. The celebration extends beyond the racecourse, with hotels and restaurants like the Crown Hotel and Whitby's Fish and Chip Restaurant adapting their menus to cater to the influx of racegoers.

For many, the St Leger is more than just a sporting event; it is a cultural phenomenon that shapes the town's social calendar. Carolyn Poole's boutique, Chique, specializes in helping women prepare for the races, offering styling services to ensure they look their best on Ladies Day. The event's allure is undeniable, as it attracts not only horse racing enthusiasts but also royalty, celebrities, and football personalities.