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The St Leger is the only UK Classic I haven’t attended but plan to go for the one and only time tomorrow so I, at least, get the full set in before I finish.
.I would recommend spending Leger Day in and around the Clock Tower Stand which is a haven of (relative) tranquility for we agoraphobics. This vantage point also allows you to see the runners up-and-over Rose Hill as the marquees on the infield that blight the view from the stands proper don’t extend that far up the course, or didn’t last time I was there
What you must also really, really do Paul before you leave Town Moor for the last time is relieve yourself in the splendid, enormous porcelain urinals beneath the Clock Tower: Victorian lavatories at their very best and a fitting way to gush ‘goodbye to racing’
What you must also really, really do Paul before you leave Town Moor for the last time is relieve yourself in the splendid, enormous porcelain urinals beneath the Clock Tower: Victorian lavatories at their very best and a fitting way to gush ‘goodbye to racing’
Legend has it those toilets are haunted by a Gay Horseman who was brutally murdered on Town Moor and I have experienced the moans and groans that come out of those very Porcelain Urinals………..I thought on one ocassion there was a blockage in the Pooh pipe but a Leatherclad Freddie Mercury lookalike exited with the swagger of someone who’d been ridden like a Leger winner,nowadays I try to stick to the more ‘middle class’ enclosures.
Doncaster is a fair, galloping track which provides great racing. The viewing could be better but it’s not that bad, the atmosphere is usually great on Leger day and the meeting attracts good horses.
I don’t think the track is soulless at all. The people certainly aren’t.
Boring or uninteresting, the St Leger certainly doesn’t hold quite the same appeal as the other classics. These days, I find my interest in the St. Leger waning rapidly – as I do with the 1.000 Guineas, for some reason.
Maybe it’s just flat racing as a whole. The Frankels ( who incidentally also graced Doncaster’s fair course ) and Nijinskys apart, I find my level of enthusiasm for the flat game has dissipated somewhat in the past few years. A weary ambivalence has taken hold, I’m sad to say. 
Roll on the jumpers.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
I’ve wondered for ages if it should be made open to all ages like the Irish version. Doncaster is on my tick list of courses to visit when I retire [two weeks to go; hurrah!!]. Do they do pensioners discount??
What you must also really, really do Paul before you leave Town Moor for the last time is relieve yourself in the splendid, enormous porcelain urinals beneath the Clock Tower: Victorian lavatories at their very best and a fitting way to gush ‘goodbye to racing’
Legend has it those toilets are haunted by a Gay Horseman who was brutally murdered on Town Moor and I have experienced the moans and groans that come out of those very Porcelain Urinals………..I thought on one ocassion there was a blockage in the Pooh pipe but a Leatherclad Freddie Mercury lookalike exited with the swagger of someone who’d been ridden like a Leger winner,nowadays I try to stick to the more ‘middle class’ enclosures.
I’m glad I’ve read this after visiting aforementioned facilities.
Not sure how you can call Doncaster pretentious. I think the track deserves better facilities and better racing. Were it down south then it would rival Newbury. The best trainers from both codes send their horses there and Gosden has called it the best galloping track in Europe. Such a pity the prize money isn’t better but that’s due to the owners.
In a way you have answered the question yourself – Doncaster has the potential to be a big course but with the poor prize money on offer it doesn’t live up to it’s potential – so is, I would contest – pretentious.
Take away the Lincoln and St Leger what else is there?
The viewing could be better but it’s not that bad, the atmosphere is usually great on Leger day and the meeting attracts good horses.
The viewing is appalling here today David.
I’m writing this on the top tier of the main stand – I can see the final three furlongs of the straight course – the view of the remainder of the straight course is obstructed by a big screen.
I can see the first 50 yards of the Leger course and about a 100 yard stretch before they disappear behind the trees, to be visible again for about 50 yards before they turn for home.
The viewing could be better but it’s not that bad, the atmosphere is usually great on Leger day and the meeting attracts good horses.
The viewing is appalling here today David.
I’m writing this on the top tier of the main stand – I can see the final three furlongs of the straight course – the view of the remainder of the straight course is obstructed by a big screen.
I can see the first 50 yards of the Leger course and about a 100 yard stretch before they disappear behind the trees, to be visible again for about 50 yards before they turn for home.
The trees are a subject of great debate and anger in this town
It turned out to be a good race.
http://www.ors-racing.co.uk/Images/General/Doncaster130914LeadingLight035Small.jpg
http://www.ors-racing.co.uk/Images/General/Doncaster130914LeadingLight045Small.jpg
I’m happy to admit when I’m wrong and I have to say this afternoon at Doncaster was not as bad as I feared – although I only ventured into the enclosures once during the afternoon.
The atmosphere was good – yes the booze was flowing (perhaps somebody can explain to me why people have to drink alcohol in order to enjoy themselves. That’s a serious question – I really do not get it).
The racing was also good although only one race panned out as I expected.
I still have to get out of town so hopefully I’m not counting my chickens.
I’m happy to admit when I’m wrong and I have to say this afternoon at Doncaster was not as bad as I feared – although I only ventured into the enclosures once during the afternoon.
The atmosphere was good – yes the booze was flowing (perhaps somebody can explain to me why people have to drink alcohol in order to enjoy themselves. That’s a serious question – I really do not get it).
The racing was also good although only one race panned out as I expected.
I still have to get out of town so hopefully I’m not counting my chickens.
I went to see the Mallard today and the atmosphere walking through town of racegoers was amazing people smiling, happy and upbeat which for Doncaster certainly isn’t the norm, the races is what keeps the town going and is our prize asset and I would hate to see it diminish.
I am glad you enjoyed it unfortunately alcohol is the scurge of most sports events and I agree with you on your comments and hope you managed to find your way out quick and easy.
I am glad you enjoyed it unfortunately alcohol is the scurge of most sports events and I agree with you on your comments and hope you managed to find your way out quick and easy.
Escape wasn’t too bad Steve – I wasn’t given a choice of which way to go coming out of the car park (the opposite way my sat-nav was telling me to go) and ended up playing "dodge the racegoer" driving through town – it was all good natured though and everyone (even me) was smiling
I am glad you enjoyed it unfortunately alcohol is the scurge of most sports events and I agree with you on your comments and hope you managed to find your way out quick and easy.
Escape wasn’t too bad Steve – I wasn’t given a choice of which way to go coming out of the car park (the opposite way my sat-nav was telling me to go)
You did come back via J3 of M18 to M1 South Paul I hope??
The atmosphere was good – yes the booze was flowing (perhaps somebody can explain to me why people have to drink alcohol in order to enjoy themselves. That’s a serious question – I really do not get it).
Good question.
Now can somebody please explain to me why people have sex in order to enjoy themselves.That is a very serious question.You did come back via J3 of M18 to M1 South Paul I hope??
Eventually – after the grand tour of Doncaster
I can understand implementing one way systems at big race meetings but to force you out of a car park in one particular direction then not provide any other signs to give you a clue as to which way to then go isn’t very helpful.
If I didn’t have the sat-nav I would probably be going round the centre of Doncaster in ever decreasing circles
Maybe it’s just flat racing as a whole. The Frankels ( who incidentally also graced Doncaster’s fair course ) and Nijinskys apart, I find my level of enthusiasm for the flat game has dissipated somewhat in the past few years. A weary ambivalence has taken hold, I’m sad to say. 
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